Vanuatu Mission
by Island Cruising NZ 7 Aug 2023 22:32 UTC
Vanuatu Mission © Island Cruising NZ
When cruisers hear of natural disasters harming local communities they plan to visit, it does not take long for them to be organized to help.
This 'mission' was born after the last two tropical cyclones and earthquake hit Vanuatu in March 2023. The Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500 sailors were in Whangarei at the time and everyone leaped to the occasion to be of assistance to the small communities in Vanuatu they would soon visit.
When word went around that the fleet was ready to carry small but precious supplies to Vanuatu, Byond Relief NZ immediately offered to send pallets with emergency supplies and the Rotary Club of Russel offered bundles of clothing. Rally participants, friends, family and a few sailors contributed generously to fund raising initiatives to bring solar lights (Watts of Love) and two wheelchairs and crutches.
So when the rally fleet visited Vanuatu in May, after carrying these supplies aboard while visiting New Caledonia in April, yachts divided what they carried and brought an equal fraction of it to each community visited in Tanna, Epi, Malekula, Ambrym and Pentecost. While thankfully most communities were quite resilient, these supplies were appreciated as they still needed some help in the aftermath of previous cyclones when little help was received because of pandemic restrictions at the time.
In order to avoid problems, these 'small' gifts were given after arranging a public meeting between cruisers and the population around the anchorage. Everything was done in the open' and shared by the chiefs between their people. Cruisers in turn accepted the generous welcome gifts of fresh fruits & local handicrafts. A win-win situation as it should always be!
Cruisers can make a difference and emotions ran high... nice moments to remember by all who were present! Coming from far away on our sailboats is just a much deeper experience than being a tourist flying for a week...
Thanks to all GLYWO500 participants, fund raising patrons and NZ donors as well as the Bay of Islands Marina, ICA, Noonsite and SSCA