Vanuatu

The PM gave the assurance when he hosted the deputy minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, Guo Zezhou in Port Vila.

Fiji Times reports the TC Winston public appeal and direct donations ran in conjunction with the Fiji High Commission Appeal being run in other Melanesian Spearhead Group countries.

Fiji's Honorary Consul to Vanuatu, Charles Valentine said a fundraiser event on March 5 included raffles, food drives, canoe rides, barbecue sales and dance and entertainment provided by local groups.

The following expenditure groups contributed to the increase in the CPI were: Transport (+2.2%), Housing Utilities (+1.0%), Clothing and Footwear (+0.5%), Drinks and Tobacco (+0.3%), Health (+0.1%). Communication, Housing Supplies and Education contribute (0.0%) did not show any impact on this changes, however, Miscellaneous and Food showed a slight decrease of (-0.8%) and (-0.4%) respectively.

The awards are in recognition of their leadership and contributions to Vanuatu community.

They received their awards from the Australian High Commissioner, Jeremy Bruer, at an afternoon tea reception to celebrate International Women's Day yesterday.

A public exhibition of photos and stories of the hardships experienced by women across the country both in the wake of Cyclone Pam and as victims and survivors of domestic violence was launched in the capital Port Vila.

President of the Silae Vanua Market Vendors association Eslin Solomon said she believed economic empowerment for women was crucial to addressing many of the issues faced by women in Vanuatu.

Pictures of the expired foodstuffs, including noodles, rice and canned food and meat have created anger on social media with people asking why it has been kept for nearly a year after Cyclone Pam hit Shefa and Tafea Provinces.

But the director of NDMO Shedrack Walegtabit has rejected any blame for the foodstuffs being dumped.

Already after the snap election in late January, the MP for the Malo/Aore constituency in northern Vanuatu, Havo Moli, has died, and the government will need to call an expensive by-election to find his replacement.

Amending the Representation of Peoples Acts is just one of the priorities listed in Prime Minister Charlot Salwai's 100 day plan that was made public last week.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister's office, Tanna MP Johnny Koanapo, worked on the document and says it's a necessary move, given the expenses involved in running by-elections...

Dr Eberhard Weber is a senior lecturer in Geography, Earth Science and Environment as well an expert in social science research on natural hazards and disasters. Previously he has conducted research in the Solomon Islands after the 2007 tsunami and in Samoa after the 2009 tsunami.

Dr Weber is confident that disaster preparedness and people’s resilience will increase when they make more use of their traditional knowledge.

He said people have realised that the comfort and prestige of having modern houses are high, but cyclone protection is not.

A review and investigation of the NISCOL Board, including the above are two other activities in the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ 100 Days Plan.

The three activities fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister and Police, while the Ministry of Justice is included in the review of the Board.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, Bruno Lengkone, who is currently in Suva, Fiji, handed over the Government’s pledge via a diplomatic note yesterday.

He conveyed the sympathy and condolences of the Government and people of Vanuatu to the Government and people of Fiji for the loss of their loved ones and their suffering.