Philippines Turns-Over Financial Contribution to Vanuatu’s Post-Disaster Recovery Efforts

Philippine Embassy in Canberra First Secretary and Consul General Aian Caringal (left) and Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Matai Seremaiah (right) hold a ceremonial turn-over of the Philippine contribution. (Canberra PE photo) 

CANBERRA 31 October 2023 – The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and Vanuatu held a turn-over ceremony in Port Vila, Vanuatu on 19 October 2023 for the US$ 50,000 contribution of the Philippines to Vanuatu’s national response and recovery efforts in the aftermath of two tropical cyclones, Judy (category 4) and Kevin (category 5) which devastated Vanuatu within a 48-hour period in March 2023.

Philippine Embassy in Canberra First Secretary and Consul General Aian Caringal, representing the Philippines during the ceremony, highlighted the long-standing relations between the two countries since 1986 and their strong affinity to each other, both being archipelagic and disaster-vulnerable countries located in the Pacific and strong climate advocates. The Philippines and Vanuatu established diplomatic relations in October 1986.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Matai Seremaiah expressed appreciation to the Philippines on behalf of his government. Philippine Honorary Consul General in Port Vila Florentino Serrano, Philippine’s Migrant Workers Office-Canberra OIC Oscar David and Attaché Remedios Alcazar were also present during the ceremonial turn-over.

In March 2023, the Vanuatu Government declared a National State of Emergency for a 6 month period in response to this major national disaster and sought financial assistance from friends and development partners on behalf of the Government and people of Vanuatu in response to this major national disaster which caused damage to infrastructures, homes and businesses as well as major productive sectors, including subsistence farming.  

In March 2015, the Philippines also provided US$50,000 in financial assistance to Vanuatu in the aftermath of cyclone Pam.  The Philippines is the top 3 export partner of Vanuatu in 2021, with tuna and copra among the main exports.  

Vanuatu is a member of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) where the Philippines is also a Dialogue Partner.  The Philippines supports the PIF as an indispensable mechanism for addressing the shared opportunities and challenges faced by Pacific Island nations, including climate change. END 

Left photo: Consul General Aian Caringal (2nd from left) and Philippine Honorary Consul General in Port Vila (2nd from right) with Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas (center). Right photo: Consul General Aian Caringal (right) with Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu (center) and his wife First Lady Rima Vurobaravu (left). (Canberra PE photos)

For more information, visit https://www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.