Vanuatu

People

The majority of Vanuatu's population are Melanesian, known locally as ni-Vanuatu. There are small communities of French and British people, due to its colonial history, as well as some Australians, New Zealanders, Vietnamese, Chinese and people from other Pacific Islands.

There are over 100 indigenous languages with English, French and Bislama (the local form of Pidgin English) recognised as the official languages. All of Vanuatu's towns have both French and English names. Almost 80 percent of the population live on the twelve largest islands and the two main cities are Port Vila (30,000 people) and Luganville (11,000 people).

All major Christian denominations are represented in the community.

History

In 1774 Captain Cook named the islands "New Hebrides" and this name remained until independence. French and British missionaries, sandalwood traders and 'black birders', who took large numbers of people to work as virtual slaves on plantations in Australia and Fiji, changed life for Vanuatu's indigenous population. These 'visitors' brought new diseases such as measles, influenza and the common cold which killed large numbers of indigenous people due to their lack of immunity.

In 1906 Britain and France agreed to jointly administer the New Hebrides. The move for independence began after occupation by the United States during World War II. When independence was eventually achieved in 1980, Vanuatu was born. However, through the 1990s the nation suffered a great deal of political instability.

Geography

Vanuatu is a 900 kilometre-long, volcanic archipelago that consists of more than 80 islands. Most of these islands are inhabited, and around half are mountainous and densely forested with narrow strips of farming land on the coasts. Five volcanoes are still active and volcanic eruptions are not uncommon. Vanuatu is the most cyclone prone nation in the South Pacific, with two to three cyclones entering its territory every year. The country also experiences earthquakes and resulting tsunamis.

Vanuatu has a tropical climate with regular, sometimes heavy, rainfall. Temperatures average between 26°C and 34°C.

Economy

Vanuatu's economy is primarily agriculture-based. More than three-quarters of inhabitants live in rural areas and rely on traditional subsistence farming methods.

Unfortunately, Vanuatu's economy has been unable to grow quickly enough to meet the needs of its expanding population. A significant consequence is a high rate of youth unemployment. The main exports are copra (35 percent), coconut oil, cocoa, coffee, kava root, cattle and timber. The country's tax haven status and unspoilt natural beauty has led to a growing reliance on the finance and tourism industries. Overseas aid from Australia, New Zealand, France and Britain is also important.

In 2002, Vanuatu began the process of drafting a National Poverty Reduction Strategy. Major challenges include rural development and delivery of basic services to remote communities on the outer islands.

Education

The illiteracy rate varies markedly between villages. Some people, especially women, speak only their local language and therefore cannot communicate outside of their local language group.

Although 93 percent of all school age children enrol in school, retention rates are as low as 15 percent across the six years of primary school. Over 75 percent of all school children receive no secondary education. The main problems are that schooling is expensive and it is often difficult for children in remote rural areas to travel to school. There are large gender disparities in education, with more boys than girls in school.

Living Conditions

Root vegetables such as yams, manioc and taro are Vanuatu's most important subsistence crops. In places where there is plenty of water, taro is grown in complex terraces that are hand built from earth and rocks. Taro, wild spinach and grated coconut are ground together to make the national dish, laplap. Pork, beef, fish, poultry, seafood or bush meat like flying fox may be added, and the mixture is wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an underground oven. Seasonal fruits like breadfruit are important. Kava, the 'anti-anxiety herb', is the national drink.

Bush-materials, such as thatched coconut leaves and woven bamboo, are used for housing in the villages. Electricity is generated using imported fuel and is only generally available in five urban centres. Roads link major settlements but few are sealed.

Vanuatu's health system suffers from a lack of facilities and qualified staff, especially midwives, doctors and specialists. There are two hospitals - one in Port Vila and the other in Luganville. Those with serious conditions are flown to Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia for treatment.

The most common illnesses include malaria, respiratory infections and influenza. Poor water quality and accessibility contributes to skin and water-borne diseases. High rates of sexually transmitted disease and the rising incidence of HIV and AIDS in neighbouring countries make Vanuatu vulnerable to a potential HIV and AIDS epidemic.