Vanuatu Emergency Fund for Earth Quake 7.4 Magnitude

2nd UPDATE:

We urge you to continue to donate (any amount appreciated) towards our GoFundMe page for those families who have lost loved ones in the Vanuatu earthquake disaster. https://gofund.me/10f1394

The first donation of funds raised through prize money to the value of $3,500 was by the QLD-based Seasonal Workers namely the Vanthorpe Cricket team. The money has been sent home to the deceased seasonal worker family of Ms Valerie Kalkoa who was struck down during the 7.4 earthquake in Vanuatu. Valerie's family are now the caregivers of her orphaned son. The donation will go towards his future education and well-being as they rebuild their lives after such a tragedy.

Read news The Guardian news article: 'Sixes smiles and post-quake solidarity: Vanuatu cricketers breathe life into tiny Queensland competition'

https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/seasonal-worker-death/104745576?utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&fbclid=IwY2xjawHXcT9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQe4uOM6JjsfYZpbgtK4XBt4DJ8I0bf5iwiShjcN4QrO3xX7ApqawGxggA_aem_U7P7YPAA6ohspDDsxdto6A

UPDATE:

Although help is getting through to the Vanuatu community we are updating you on the impact and desperation for workers in Australia that are waiting to go home to Vanuatu.

Here I am posting a tribute to Ms Valerie Kalkoa 26 years old and a single mum who flew home from Australia to spend Christmas with her baby boy not even a year old. She was shopping for presents when the quake hit.

ABC RADIO PACIFIC in-depth interview on families affected. Furthermore, the brother of 13-year-old Peter Morris David is here in Australia when he hears the news of his younger brother's bravery in saving his mother and sister's life as all 3 were pinned under the rubble. Unfortunately, young Peter didn't survive his injuries.

ABC ARTICLE on the Australian RAAF support, hope and tragedy.

Image of Valerie's memorial service here in QLD.

WHO ARE WE & WHY ARE WE DOING THIS:

My name is (Waskam) Emelda Davis and I am the chair of Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) (ASSIPJ). https://www.assipj.com.au/southsea/assipj-board-members-2020/

ASSIs are descendants of Australia's blackbird trade mainly from Vanuatu, Solomons and eighty surrounding Islands.

Our not-for-profit is running an emergency response fundraiser to assist the families affected by today's 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu.

As we await news from the Vanuatu Government we have advised the Vanuatu High Commission to Australia that we will start raising money to help families that are stranded in Australia and eventually funds to go to those in need of emergency resources in Vanuatu.

There are close to 100 Seasonal Workers who won't make it home for Christmas due to severe damage to the airstrip in Port Vila.

These workers need emergency housing, food as well as money to call home once communications are up and running.

Working with local community groups we have identified in the last few hours 30 + women stranded in Queensland and a further 50 workers needing shelter from the airports due to cancelled flights.

As a former Councillor with the City of Sydney, I supported Lord Mayoral Minute for $130,000 towards Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea natural disaster relief. In 2015 our organisation raised over 2Mil in resources and cash distribution.

We are confident with the goodwill of a global community we will be able to meet our humble target of $20,000. https://www.assipj.com.au/southsea/?s=containers