Learning to be prepared: food preservation training for disaster-prone communities in Vanuatu
With El Niño following hard on the heels of Tropical Cyclone Pam in March 2015, subsistence farmer Ruta Bule faced a difficult recovery. “Cyclone Pam came and that was bad,” she explained. “The storm spoiled our gardens. But then El Niño came and that was
Learning to preserve food for times of disaster. (Image © FAO)
Rebuilding lives and making land productive again takes time and effort. Fruit trees and gardens have suffered, causing concern for the food security of families and communities who rely on their farms and gardens for their livelihoods.
“We didn’t prepare,” continued Ruta. “We didn’t know how to prepare.”
Recognizing the need for practical steps to reduce the potential impact of a disaster, FAO set out to provide Food Preservation Training to six communities throughout Vanuatu – one in each province. As a result, these communities now have knowledge and skills in using new technologies for food preservation. Moreover, their own traditional methods of food preservation have been strengthened and encouraged through sharing and storytelling.
Ruta now knows how to build and use a solar dryer to preserve her surplus fruit & vegetables, as well as how to safely store and package her dried food for home consumption and income generation. She has become a strong advocate for food preservation. “I have learnt how to preserve food and now I want to go share what I have learnt with my family and with my community,” she said.
Ruta also learned about nutrition, food safety and hygiene – giving her the tools and knowledge to help improve her family’s health both before and after a disaster. She is excited about how her new skills can help her be more prepared for a disaster. “Now, after this training, I think a lot about preparation. We must take action now.”