Vanuatu’s Capital is a Ghost Town — Some Say It Might Be ‘Finished’
By ABC News In-depth
‘The Pacific’ spent a week documenting trauma, resilience, and the daunting prospect of rebuilding one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world. Vanuatu is riddled with damage and the next natural disaster could be looming just around the corner.
Reporter Lillyrose Welwel is on the ground in Port Vila where the once vibrant CBD now resembles a ghost town.
Here’s what others had to say:
@genturadiutama9527
Been to Port Vila, Vanuatu in 2023. People are friendly and persistent. I pray for them to bounce back and rise again after this devastating disaster. All love from Indonesia.
@bronzewing1965
As a Polynesian its heartbreaking to see fellow Pacific Islanders go through constant disasters. My family are Tongan/ Maori and the volcano blast k*lled one of my extended family. Praying for Vanuatu.
@peterkorisa911
Vanuatu people are resilient they can live without money from months to years. I served government for more than 11 years dealing with different natural disasters. I visited all islands in Vanuatu even all volcanoes in the country. And I am confident that people can still recover from this disaster, this disaster is not something to worry about. The major issue for people living in Vanuatu is the main drivers for vulnerability, with my experience the main drivers are skills labor, health determinant related issues and governance system. Natural disasters are just another additional drivers but the effect can be mitigate and reduce. Vanuatu need to improve skills work force, improve health determinant related problems and improve it’s governance system, disasters will not be an issue anymore.
@AvarikiFamily
Sad to see a little clean town turn into ruins. Prayers for those affected.
@max-roz_annan
Will be heading there in June. We booked a holiday before the earthquake. They seem to be an amazing culture, working together despite all these larger issues. I hope the govt can help kickstart the needed renewal.
@scottritomanaksimonscott6213
Reminds me of Christchurch after the 2010 and 2011 quakes… if the Vanuatu government actually cares about good governance, they need to invest in their essential infrastructure and precarious service-based economy.
@kanazef
It takes a decade or more to recover, not the infrastructure. But mentally, people that experience trauma won’t come back anytime soon. Just like what happened in the Sulawesi/Celebes Island earthquake, the whole village disappeared. My deepest condolences to the people of Vanuatu. Love from Indonesia.
@Brfff
I got to visit Vanuatu quite a few times for work … all the best for the wonderful Ni-Vanuatu and their beautiful country … sad to see so much damage.
@Cedawood
As a child living in Australia we visited Vanuatu & we were use to beautiful places, but this was absolutely stunning with biggest smiles ever !
@rodpettet2819
It’s a disgrace that the many billionaires around the world prefer spending their wealth on extravagant toys and private islands. A billionaire or two could easily rebuild Vanuatu with their small change. Most philanthropists only donate when they can see a return on the money donated.
@cruzmakaveli9891
There’s no reo in the Presidential Complex recently completed seeing the cracks in the footage. Not only is it not build to Vanuatu Standard, its not build to any modern Standards ! Someone has to answer to this!
@kymbrookes7533
Thanks people need to know what is happening over in Vanuatu it’s one of our neighbours we go there every year just come back and booked another 3 weeks next year wonderful place wonderful people please let us know what is happening one of the most beautiful places in the world.
@edq4383
Need to get the Japanese to rebuild it with earthquake proofing. Australia and NZ aid can fund that and make the future proofing real. The china buildings – lol they always are are cutting corners.
@justotorres742
It is about seismic design criteria, I experience an 8.1 intensity earthquake on GUAM ,USA 1990″S only 2 building is demolished and minor damage, it is all about design.
@Brunobull234
Tofu construction. Hope their parliament makes some big changes, but given the timeframe, there is concern. Australia needs to step up and bury previous disagreements.
@fjphoto23
So said for this beautiful country and its friendly people. Hope they find their way out of this mess. They should look to us their Pacific Island family and find ways to collaborate and learn from each other for the better.
@johnmajewski1065
Very Sad – Devastating future ahead. Being resilient is not enough. Educational programs stable governments are vital for growth to attract infrastructure investments. Move the capital to a safer area may attract investor’s with attractive tax laws benefits like Bermuda.or Cayman Islands.This needs a very strong stable government to create long term stability for investors to come.
@jaisingh5801
Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid money just disappears to corruption while the people suffer.., some people made a ton of money building those substandard buildings.
Original source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHeqMnjjIwM