Repatriation

The Director of Public Health and COVID-19 Spokesperson, Len Tarivonda said since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has generously paid for all quarantine fees for the year 2020 and most of 2021 as well. These included the quarantine costs of seasonal workers.

The Afghans were granted citizenship under Vanuatu's Development Support Program.

The family of five are now seeking assistance from Vanuatu's Embassy in Brussels to be repatriated.

The director of Vanuatu's Department of Foreign Affairs, Yvon Basil, has confirmed the Afghans' request.

But Mr Basil said, because Vanuatu has no connection with Afghanistan, the family's request had come through other foreign missions including New Zealand and Australia.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced this in his nationwide address this week.

Mr. Sogavare says the students were among the 850 students who are currently in Fiji.

He says the COVID-19 situation in Fiji is worrying as 22 local students have been infected by the virus.

“Approximately 850 students, both government and privately sponsored students in all the training institutions in Fiji. Over 50 of these have graduated and can return home, the rest will remain.

The government said the students had failed all or most of their courses and would no longer be supported by the state.

The students undertook studies under the Members Education Support Scheme (MESS) of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) last year.

The Daily Post newspaper reported that the Fund's general manager, Parmod Achary, had said there was no alternative but to bring the students home because they had been excluded from the university.

The passengers include students of the University of the South Pacific, Fiji National University, Fulton Adventist University College, Uni Fiji as well as some Vanuatu citizens.

According to VBTC, the students are happy to be returning home after completing their studies despite Covid-19.

The repatriation flight is the second one organized by the Government.

The first flight was on 30 November, which took home 230 passengers.

Other students will remain and celebrate Christmas and New Year in Fiji as borders are still closed.

The service (FJ1264) operated by Fiji Link will be on Saturday 13 June 2020, departing Port Vila (VLI) at 10.20am and arriving into Nadi at 1.35pm.

That's despite the fact both governments have extended their work visas to 12 months.

The Vanuatu government says flights are being organised for hundreds of citizens set to return by the end of the month.

But there are fears this might be too late for others who've been stranded in Australia on temporary visas.

Pacific Beat understands there are at least 200 Vanuatu citizens stuck abroad since March, after leaving the country for short visits; including George Malas, who visited Australia with his family for a friend's wedding almost three month ago.

Authorities have arranged ships to repatriate the residents.

According to veteran Vanuatu journalist Moses Stevens, Government officers, National Disaster Management Office, police and representatives of other organisations involved were deployed to Ambae on Saturday before the repatriation process started yesterday.   

The officials were sent ahead to ensure a controlled and well-coordinated return of the people of Ambae.

The MV Aganda transported more than 200 people back to Ambae.