It’s been an extraordinary few months across the world, and Vanuatu of course is no different to anywhere else. Cyclone Harold tore through the nation in early April, leaving a path of destruction in its wake. Swathes of Vanuatu’s largest island Espiritu Santo are in ruins with an estimated 90% of homes damaged in the provincial capital Luganville and 5,000 people made homeless. International relief efforts have been hampered by the fact that the archipelago is still Covid-19 free, which has meant stringent restrictions on movement of aid workers. Add to that the election of a new Prime Minister, and we start to get an idea of the kind of general upheaval experienced across the country recently.
Our 2020 partnership building trip to Port Vila has been put on indefinite hold as we, like you, attempt to reconcile our hopes for 2020 with the ever-changing reality of life under a global pandemic. However the world might look post Covid-19, it is certain that it will not be the same as it was before.
Today we launch our end of financial year campaign, Emergency Essentials. With your help, we will supply all nurses across the VCH emergency department with critical Nursing Packs, essential to effective triaging of patients. You can pledge to donate a single item, an entire pack or even two!
Perhaps you’re one of the lucky ones and your income hasn’t been affected too much by Covid-19. Perhaps you’re spending less on barista coffees than you were. Perhaps you’re spending less on petrol and eating out; on theatre and cinema tickets. If you have something to spare, even a little, please consider making a donation to the MJF or even pledging to give regularly. In the words of Dr. Sereana Natuman, Head of Medical Department at VCH, by giving to the MJF “You are saving lives in Vanuatu.”
We are thinking of you all in these remarkable and uncertain times. Thank you for your continued support, even as times get tougher and the world gets stranger. You are essential to us being able to do what we do.
