Vanuatu

This has been confirmed in a statement by the Port Vila City Council.

The re-opening is following the couple of weeks of closure from the damages sustained from Tropical Cyclone Kevin, earlier this month.

Port Vila City Council said “From today onwards, vendors will be selling their products from 6am to 5pm at the market. While several other markets, such as the Korman market, Freswota Au Bon Marche market, and Manples market, have already reopened, they have done so on a smaller scale.

This team will complement the first team that left last week.

While farewelling the 31-member team, Minister for Disaster Management Sakiasi Ditoka reminded the team that their deployment provides an opportunity for the Fiji Government to reciprocate the kind gesture and support rendered to Fiji by our neighbours in Vanuatu in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.

He says Vanuatu's acceptance of our assistance also demonstrates Fiji's strength in Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR).

This is after the suspension of operations due to damages caused by Tropical Cyclone Kevin, earlier this month.

In a statement issued by the SHEFA Health Office, the health facility has informed the public especially mothers, of the reopening of the unit and the resumption of its services.

“Temporary works were done to ensure the MCH Unit was prepared to resume its vital services and provide much-needed support to mothers and children in the community.”

NDMO Fiji rep in Vanuatu Napolioni Boseiwaqa said they have met with Vanuatu Disaster Management Office where they explained the current situation and they have managed to set out their objectives.

He said they have also relayed the message of condolence from the Fijian Government.

Boseiwaqa added the RFMF troops will meet with the Joint Operation Centre while the Ministry of Health liaison officer has met with the Vanuatu medical team whereby they will be allocated clear tasks.

PasifikaTV is excited to be broadcasting the series to the Pacific in what is sure to be another delicious celebration of vibrant food from across the region that highlights the passion and skill of the people making it.

Teams of two will be representing the Kingdom of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea.

Season 3 will take place over six episodes, displaying the skills of contestants while also educating viewers on how food can be used to address issues the Pacific is facing including obesity, stunting, diabetes and climate change.

Speaking to the ABC on HMAS Canberra, Colonel Douglas Pashley said the Australian Defence Force troops were "really excited to be here".

"The priority is to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief assistance to support the people of Vanuatu," he said.

"Most of these men and women behind me, they were in the field a week ago doing an exercise in Australia, [so] we pulled them out of the field, brought them to Sydney [and] loaded them on.

"We have a sizeable and very capable force here. 

The change was announced by the French interior minister Gerald Darmanin when he visited the Vanuatu capital on Sunday.

He said the liberalisation has come at the behest of the French president.

RNZ Pacific reports the minister said in a next step Paris will lobby the European Union to restore freedom of movement.

The restrictions were imposed because Vanuatu sells its citizenship, which raised concerns in Europe about the identity of the buyers.

Brown, who is also Cook Islands Prime Minister, said the Forum stands ready to assist with the recovery and rebuilding efforts as and when possible.

"Our hearts go out to those in Vanuatu who are now homeless, those hurting, those displaced, those hungry and the many anxiously awaiting news or assistance," he said.

Brown said the ongoing anxiety and trauma caused to hundreds of families during these intensifying events is also an emerging priority.

Cyclones Judy and Kevin caused extensive damage and plunged parts of Vanuatu into a state of emergency.

However, Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau said the true cost is yet to be determined.

He said at the moment he is focused on reinstalling confidence back in the system.

While communication in Port Vila is, for the most part, up and running, lines to other islands remain cut off.

Kalsakau said rapid assessment teams have been dispatched.

The cyclones caused extensive damage and plunged parts of Vanuatu into a state of emergency.

RNZ Pacific reports Emanuel Roslyn flew into Auckland with around 60 other workers on the first flight out of the country on Wednesday afternoon.

His father's home was flattened, leaving him sheltering in Port Vila.