RESPONDING WHEN NEEDED IN VANUATU

Article by Cornelia Wyllie, President Elect of the Rotary Club of Port Vila, District 9910

 

Within 24 hours of the earthquake striking, Rotarians began assessing the extent of the damage and seeing what could be done to provide relief for the affected communities. Working in cooperation with Vanuatu’s Government WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) teams, the urgent need for clean water was quickly identified.

 

When we saw the widespread devastation, we knew immediate action was essential. The village of Mele, had lost its access to safe drinking water for its 7,000 inhabitants. It was also apparent that local cattle farms, piggeries and other farming enterprises were also severely impacted, with over 1,000 animals left without water.

 

The specific project was to supply safe drinking water to the village after their supply line from the source was buried under a landslip and unrecoverable. Private local bores were contaminated with sewage, rain water collection tanks had come off their makeshift stands and nearby rivers remained muddy and unsuitable.

 

As funds became available through the Rotary Foundation, a USD $25,000 Disaster Response Grant was applied for and quickly approved. Our goal was clear: to ensure that no one had to walk more than 500 meters to access clean drinking water.

 

Over six days, over 100,000 litres of water was supplied to various entities while exploring and developing options for long-term recovery.

 

Rotary WASH team members worked with the community and chiefs to identify another water source. Engineers designed a system, installing a solar pump, laying piping and relocating tanks to deliver water to the centre of Mele Village. The site became known as “the water farm” and further bores and tanks can be installed by the community as demand increases. A maintenance management team from the village have become actively involved to ensure sustainability.

 

The project was a notable success, providing immediate relief to community members who had previously walked long distances for water as well as designing and building a consistent and safe water supply for the long term.

 

 

Working as a Rotarian in a disaster zone was an eye-opening experience that deepened my understanding of the power of community and collaboration. The most profound lesson from this experience was the power of pulling together in the face of adversity.

 

This experience reinforced the critical role Rotarians play in disaster zones. Through collaboration, compassion, and decisive action, we can make a real impact on communities in need. A heartfelt thank you to the Rotary Foundation’s disaster response financial support. Without it, this would not have been possible.

 

Editor’s note

In an email recently received from Cornelia, she wrote:

 

“After years of dodging the President Elect nomination for Port Vila Rotary Club, claiming I had 'so much to learn,' I finally gave in. I’m more of a 'doer' than a 'spotlighter"   Testing the depth of the role during a disaster with the Mele Water Project — I discovered this is definitely something I can handle, especially with a little (okay, a lot) of help from Rotary WASH team and Rotary International.”

 

We wish her well in her when her term commences as Club President.

 

A special mention goes to Steve, Karl, Daniel, Linda, Jack, Janelle, as well as Cornelia—who not only wrenched, swung, and set the project in motion but somehow kept everything flowing smoothly without turning into human fountains themselves!