Richard Butler | RNZ | Apr 5th, 2019

The Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai says development partners and NGOs cannot come into Vanuatu and do whatever they want.

Vanuatu govt moves to improve aid collaboration

Vanuatu’s prime minister Charlot Salwai

Mr Salwai also said NGOs and development partners must not compete with each other, but work with the government to address the needs of the people.

When launching Vanuatu’s National Aid Management Policy yesterday, Mr Salwai said the policy provides direction and allow for a true partnership in development planning, management and evaluation of programmes.

He said in the nearly four decades since independence, the government of Vanuatu has been operating without a proper aid policy that could provide direction in the sector and this has affected outcomes.

The prime minister said this new policy would provide a platform for collaborative effort between government central agencies in reducing duplication, improving oversight and communication of government priorities to development partners.