History has shown that the most significant challenges are from which unexpected leaders and heroes often emerge.
When asked to write this publication, I leapt at the chance. Here was an opportunity to write the first draft of Vanuatu’s COVID pandemic history, but to write it from the point of view of those on the frontline and behind it.
With the nation’s borders now open again after more than two years, it comes with the realization of just how lucky Vanuatu has been to survive the ravages of this global pandemic with just 14 confirmed deaths.
Vanuatu has a history of imported diseases. A single measles epidemic in 1866 killed thousands. But as these stories show, it was not luck that kept us safe. Although, yes, there was undoubtedly some of that. The real reason is the work of many who made it so. They have been faceless and nameless until now. I am grateful that they all agreed to speak with me.
I sincerely thank Balance of Power for allowing me to tell their stories. I came to Vanuatu as a freshly minted Master of Disaster Resilience nearly five years ago. I expected cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and maybe a tsunami. Nowhere was a global pandemic in my thoughts. For the past two years, I survived this pandemic from within the safety of Vanuatu’s island bubble, but with an eye on the outside world, watching nervously as the global death toll rose and fearing what would happen if the Delta variant came to town. The virus was an invisible force, bringing death, suffering, and hardship to billions.
The fear of the virus in Vanuatu was real. I can remember where I was, as I am sure you can too when the news of the first confirmed case was announced. And again, when the first case of community transmission was whispered, then made public. I have asked everyone on these pages to rate on a scale of 1-10 how lucky they
believe we have been.
But 14 people will never get that chance. I hope that one day, someone will write their stories.
Read the whole publication here.
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