Vanuatu, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, is currently grappling with a series of catastrophic events that have left the nation reeling. The Pacific island country, known for its frequent earthquakes and cyclones, recently endured one of its worst earthquakes, followed by three destructive cyclones in 2023. These events have plunged the people of Vanuatu into a continuous cycle of recovery, with an estimated 80,000 lives impacted and 14 lives lost due to the earthquake alone. The scale of devastation has prompted the country's recovery office to estimate that it could take years before normalcy is restored.
The capital city, Port Vila, with a population of approximately 50,000 out of the country's total 320,000, bears visible scars of these disasters. The city's infrastructure, including hospitals, bridges, and water reservoirs, sustained extensive damage in the earthquake. Major buildings are still being demolished, and the prospect of rebuilding seems distant. The situation is compounded by Vanuatu's public debt, which is estimated to be roughly half of the country's GDP, with 80 percent being external. This financial strain is exacerbated by political instability, as the country cycled through three prime ministers in just four months last year.
Structural Challenges and Financial Strain
The earthquake and cyclones have laid bare significant structural issues within Vanuatu's infrastructure. The presidential palace complex, built and donated by China, has severe structural cracks, raising concerns about construction standards. However, the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu has denied claims that the building was "not built to code." Despite these denials, China has offered to cover the cost of repairing five key projects built with its aid money, including the presidential palace, committing $4 million for repairs.
"There is no wire mesh and there's thin steel wires to reinforce the concrete wall," said Thomas Iauma.
The lack of reinforcement in concrete structures has been highlighted as a key issue in Vanuatu's building practices. Cyrille Mainguy pointed out the challenges with foreign construction methods:
"The problem we see is we've got people coming from overseas, with plans done overseas … and they're mainly building concrete frames … there's no reinforcement in the block work."
Amidst these challenges, Vanuatu is also struggling with inflation, declining foreign investments, skill shortages, and a loss of confidence among business owners. These economic issues have contributed to one of the worst post-pandemic recoveries for the tourism industry in the Pacific region, leading to the collapse of the national airline last year.
Resilience Amidst Adversity
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the people of Vanuatu remain steadfast in their resilience and determination to rebuild. Anthony Ligo expressed this sentiment:
"We are a resilient people [we] have been through a lot."
"But [we] will come back stronger, as the people of Vanuatu believe in each other. And as long as we believe in each other, the future is ours."
This spirit of resilience is crucial as the country navigates its path to recovery. However, experts warn that without significant external support and strategic planning, the road ahead remains fraught with difficulties.
"We've got the biggest cyclones and we've got quite severe earthquakes," noted Cyrille Mainguy.
The compounded effects of natural disasters and economic challenges are pulling Vanuatu back decades in terms of development and progress.
"This is pulling Vanuatu backwards — 30, 40, 50 years back," said George Lapi.
Looking Towards a Sustainable Future
As Vanuatu continues its recovery efforts, discussions around sustainable development and infrastructure improvement are taking center stage. The need for robust and resilient construction practices cannot be overstated. The idea of relocating vulnerable areas has also been proposed as a potential solution.
"Maybe it's best to relocate and turn [the CBD] into a park," suggested George Lapi.
Financial sustainability is another pressing concern for Vanuatu. With foreign loans constituting a significant portion of public debt, the need for prudent financial management is paramount.
"[Foreign loans are] funding that we have to repay," stressed Willie Tokon.
