UNESCO supports post-earthquake recovery of the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and Chief Roi Mata’s Domain World Heritage Site

The recovery initiative responds to immediate needs while laying the foundations for sustainable cultural protection. At the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, the activity will support a rapid impact assessment of damage, an updated inventory of affected collections, and the restoration of objects and archival materials with the support of local conservation experts and knowledge holders. Engineers and local contractors will stabilize and rehabilitate damaged areas of the buildings-including the Conference Room, National Library and Archives, and Public Library-helping restore public access for the more than 50,000 students, researchers, communities, and visitors who rely on these services each year.

At the Chief Roi Mata's Domain, specialized technical assistance will guide the protection and future safeguarding of the site. A geological needs assessment will determine measures required at the Fels Cave, while new 3D visualisation equipment will allow communities, visitors, and researchers to safely explore the cave's interior despite restricted physical access. This will support both conservation and sustainable tourism, ensuring that knowledge associated with the site remains accessible while protecting its fragile environment.

The initiative directly benefits local communities who steward the World Heritage site and depend on its cultural and economic vitality. Strengthening safety, documentation, and visitor engagement at CRMD reinforces community-led governance systems, enhances cultural tourism opportunities, and promotes resilience across linked livelihoods.