About WHO in Vanuatu

About WHO in Vanuatu

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.

The Western Pacific Region

The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than one quarter of the world’s population, stretching over more than one third of the distance around the globe. In all, more than 600 WHO staff work in 15 country offices and the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, to support Member States in achieving better health outcomes for the Region’s nearly 1.9 billion people in 37 countries and areas.

Tailored support for the Pacific

To coordinate and provide timely, tailored support and backstopping to 21 Pacific Island countries and areas, in 2010 the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office established the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) in Suva, Fiji. The Country Liaison Office in Vanuatu is one of six other offices in the Pacific, and which are part of DPS. These offices include: the Country Offices in Samoa and the Solomon Islands and Country Liaison Offices in Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Vanuatu. Working together as a Division, the DPS divisional hub in Suva as well as the six country and country liaison offices provide support to: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.

The Division’s work spans five main areas and is delivered in close collaboration with Pacific governments, other UN agencies, development partners, donors, and non-governmental organisations to achieve better health outcomes for Pacific Island communities.

WHO History

In May 1953, Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides), was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly ''without prejudice to any questions regarding its sovereignty'' as an area. On 30 July 1980, New Hebrides won its independence from Britain and France and was renamed Vanuatu. It joined WHO on 7 March 1983 as a Member State.

Vanuatu is covered by the WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific, and a WHO Country Liaison Officer was designated in March 1981.

 

Country Data

 

Contact WHO

The WHO Country Liaison Officer in Vanuatu:
Dr Eunyoung Ko

Office address:
Ministry of Health Iatika Complex, Cornwall Street PO Box 177 Port Vila, Vanuatu

Postal address:
World Health Organization P.O. Box 177 Port Vila, Vanuatu, South Pacific

Telephone number:
(678) 27 683 (direct line)

Office hours:
07.30 - 12.00 13.30 - 17.00 (Monday to Friday)

Email:
wpvutclo@who.int

Ministry of Health

Address:
Iatika Complex Private Mail Bag 9009, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Telephone number:
+(678) 22512 / +(678) 33080

Fax number:
+(678) 26204

Website:
https://moh.gov.vu/