equipment

During a recent visit to Luganville, Commissioner of Police, Robsen Iavro, received Personal Protective Equipment GP boots, heavy structural Fire Fighting Uniform and Helmets from the Australian Capital Territory Emergency Service through AFAC Pacific Partnership group.

The partnership has seen Vanuatu Fire Service, NDMO and ProMedical receive training, technical advice, surplus vehicles and equipment.

While the support has been directed mostly to Efate in the past this is the first significant donation to assist the emergency services in Santo.

Commander Vanuatu Australian Policing and Justice Programme Detective Superintendent Melissa Northam presented the items on behalf of Cyber Safety Pasifika.

Detective Supt Northam acknowledged the Vanuatu Police Force’s participation in the CSP and assured the VPF of future support.

She also announced the first cyber security scholarship was given to Vanuatu to enhance the Human Resource of cyber safety with its knowledge on dealing with cyber in Vanuatu.

The equipment includes hand and power tools for about 500 workers and associated protective gear.

The workers can be mobilized to undertake rehabilitation of community infrastructure or activities such as debris removal and solid waste management. The equipment will also be used to support basic carpentry training for youths.

In order to get some of the equipment to those in need, Nelson woman Belinda Roselli​ is trying to raise $14,000 to ship a 40-foot container from Nelson to Port Vila in Vanuatu.

Roselli's business, Lav Kokonas, imports and sells coconut oil and other products from Vanuatu and it was through her work she became aware of the rising problem of diabetes among the indigenous people of Vanuatu.