Rebuilding progress slow in Vanuatu after 7.3 magnitude earthquake

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Three months after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, recovery efforts for many have been slow.  Many businesses remain shut - and others are still in danger from damaged buildings.

Transcript

00:00These streets are normally full of life, and now they're completely empty.

00:08It's like a coaster, nobody lives here.

00:10It could be years until Port Vila's CPT is functioning normally.

00:16260 buildings have been earmarked for demolition.

00:23This is pulling Vanuatu backwards, 30, 40, 50 years back.

00:27But the newly sworn-in prime minister says he wants the area open for business.

00:33I've told the private sector that the sooner the better.

00:38They are proposing June, I said no, I want it open now.

00:42He's announced a 100-day plan with funding for demolitions and to support impacted businesses.

00:49But progress has been slow, and the damaged buildings still pose a risk to people.

00:56But this widow and grandmother is living in the shadow of a damaged building she worries

01:03could collapse at any moment.

01:05We're not sleeping well, I don't know how, but we just live like this.

01:11The building's owner wants her to move elsewhere so they can demolish.

01:16This is where she brought up her children, so she doesn't know where she's going to relocate to.

01:21Some say there is still a lack of urgency from the government.

01:26We expect them to start helping people, not just talking.

01:31The challenges of recovery come as Vanuatu grapples with a weak economy and chronic political instability.

01:39But even for the worst affected, they still hope Cyril Mengke's cousin was killed in the quake.

01:47How are you feeling?

01:48Well, I think everyone's broken.

01:51Everyone's broken, but Vanuatu, we are resilient people.

01:56For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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