Followers of Vanuatu’s Prince Philip Movement believe the Duke is descended from one of their spirit ancestors. Some are convinced the cyclone that ravaged their country in March was nature’s dramatic curtain-raiser to his arrival in 2016. They believe Prince Philip will, at least, visit them and, at best, take up residence among them. During Read more
Two elders from the John Frum movement, on Tanna Island, say their recently-deceased prophet had predicted a major event would occur in 2016. They say the cyclone, and subsequent aid, are a precursor to a major event that was foretold to take place next year. The island of Tanna in Vanuatu is known for its Read more
What struck me most about the situation was the resilience of the people”, says Mark Mitchell. Mitchell is the Humanitarian Programmes Coordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand. “Despite all they have gone through they are simply getting on with the business of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods.” Mitchell has been in Vanuatu, as part of Read more
The Indonesian police opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Papuans who were fundraising money for humanitarian aid for the victims of Cyclone Pam according to Benny Wenda, a West Papua Activist based in the United Kingdom. “This fundraising was coordinated across West Papua by church groups in West Papua and the umbrella organisation, the Read more
“Celebrating the Palm Sunday (Children’s Sunday), it is only proper that children and parents in Fiji dedicate their donations to the more than 30,000 children of Vanuatu as well as children of Tuvalu and Kiribati who are facing the aftermath of the cyclone,” said Methodist Church communications secretary, the Reverend James Bhagwan. On Palm Sunday Read more
“In Port Vila the destruction is everywhere, and there’s no news from anyone around the islands yet,” says the Bishop of Port Vila, John Bosco Baremes. “There’s just no shelter, with so much having been blown away, and people will need somewhere to shelter while they rebuild.” Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and Caritas Australia are Read more