Vanuatu

“This visit is an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the close links that already exist between our countries. I look forward to connecting with Vanuatu leaders to discuss our work together on issues facing Vanuatu and the Pacific,” says Mahuta.

Mahuta's visit comes nearly a month after severe tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin​ made landfall on the country in quick succession and caused widespread destruction to the country reports PMN News.​

The public can now receive health care services at the nearest health facilities.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is encouraging people to go to their nearest health facilities for any health services as Vila Central Hospital will now only be used for emergencies and referrals.

In SHEFA Province, health services are provided closer to the doorstep at the following health facilities that are resourced with nurses and doctors:

Mahuta is scheduled to meet with senior government figures, including the President Nikenike Vurobaravu, Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman, and Foreign Minister Jotham Napat.

Her visit comes almost a month after severe tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin made landfall on the country in quick succession and caused widespread damages to the country.

Earlier this month, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishamel Kalsakau told RNZ Pacific that the initial costs of recovery following the aftermath of the double disaster would cost almost $US50 million.

The 28-day mission is supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Association CEO Debbie Sorensen said the delegation will be made up of primary care and mental health specialists experienced in emergency response.

The team will travel to Vanuatu on Wednesday.

Medical Superintendent Dr Vincent Atua said people with any blood type are encouraged to donate blood to save lives.

“There’s big need for blood in our hospital because of the number of patients who are admitted just after the cyclone and even before the cyclone.

“We still have ongoing surgery operations, people getting sick, people referred from the islands and mothers having babies born which increase the demand,” Dr Atua said.

Vanuatu is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and it is regularly affected by cyclones during the wet season from November to April.

But few in this archipelago nation of more than 80 islands were prepared for two Category 4 cyclones hitting the country within 72 hours in early March.

“The cyclone kept changing direction and the winds were coming from different directions,” said Cathy Hivo, recounting the fearful hours as the second of the two cyclones churned across Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, on March 3.

The Daily Post said these special skills workers will be allowed into the country to work for legitimate employers in the manufacturing sector.

Finance Minister John Salong said the Government is concentrating on its focus of an economic growth of 4.1 percent in 2023.

While he has not blamed the current high numbers of seasonal workers leaving for New Zealand and Australia,

Salong has admitted a negative impact caused by experienced, educated young people leaving for seasonal work opportunities in both Australia and New Zealand.

Home side Ifira Black Bird will play their group B matches in the capital and have been joined by Hekari United of Papua New Guinea, AS Pirae of Tahiti and Tiga Sport of New Caledonia.

Fiji's Suva are in group A with defending champion New Zealand's Auckland City, Solomon Warriors and Lupe Ole Solaga of Samoa who topped a qualifying section played in Apia.

RNZ Pacific reports the two highest placed teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. 

The Ministry of Health said the death toll has increased to five so far this year.

Three people died in Santo, one fatal case is from Erromango and the other is from Efate.

The MOH said two deaths were clinically diagnosed and three were laboratory confirmed.

Two new cases from Santo and Malekula were reported recently.

A total of 40 cases have been reported in the country since January this year.

The Pacific island nation’s Minister of Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, said 119 governments have co-sponsored Vanuatu’s resolution, which seeks legal clarity on the obligation of states to take climate change action, and draws attention to the vulnerability of small islands states hit by worsening storms and rising seas.

Vanuatu hopes more nations will sign-on before the general assembly debate begins on Wednesday, and it will be passed by consensus, he said according to a Reuters report.