“After the cyclone a group of people from france came to help in Vanuatu. They were surprised. How are people still smiling? The cyclone destroyed our food and houses. But it will never destroy our smile.”

-Man in Bayab Village, Ambrym, Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an island group of volcanic origin in the South Pacific Ocean. First inhabited by Melanesian people around 400BC, the first europeans arrived in 1606 and almost 200 years later the islands were colonialised for their resources and labour. This european influence, mostly by France and the UK, remains until this day.

In 1906 France and the UK agreed to jointly rule Vanuatu (then called the New Hebrides, a name given by Captain Cook when he rediscovered the islands in 1774), under the British-French condominium. The colonial rule lasted until 1980, when an independence movement took over power under Walter Lini.

Normally living in tropical abundance Cyclone Pam hit many islands badly in 2015. 11 people died but the destruction of houses, plants and infrastructure was massive. With winds up to 300km/h most traditional bamboo houses as well as the cheap tin houses simply flew away.

Now people are still rebuilding their houses and gardens, well aware that the next cyclone season is just around the corner.

Especially rural areas still struggle a Lot. Foreign aid missions, mostly from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France and China are hardly reaching them. Many basic supplies like tools, diving goggles, rice and solar lights are missing. During the current dry season now a draught is additionally making the supply of water very difficult.