Earlier in 2023, Vanuatu was battered by two cyclones and an earthquake. In a show of support and camaraderie from the cruising community, rally organisers and cruisers in the South Pacific gathered much-needed aid and supplies for devastated parts of the country. Luc Callebaut, one of the aid mission’s organisers, reports on its successful delivery.

Published 10 months ago, updated 4 weeks ago

When cruisers hear of natural disasters harming local communities they plan to visit, it does not take long for them to be organized to help. This ‘mission’ was born after the last two tropical cyclones and earthquake hit Vanuatu in March 2023.

The Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500 sailors were in Whangarei at the time and everyone leapt at the idea of providing assistance to the small communities in Vanuatu they would soon visit.

When word went around that the fleet was ready to carry small, but precious, supplies to Vanuatu, Byond Relief NZ immediately offered to send pallets with emergency supplies and the Rotary Club of Russell offered bundles of clothing.

Rally participants, friends, family and a few sailors contributed generously to fund raising initiatives to bring solar lights (Watts of Love) as well as two wheelchairs and crutches.

After carrying these supplies aboard while visiting New Caledonia in April, rally yachts then divided what they carried when they visited Vanuatu in May and brought an equal amount of it to each community visited in Tanna, Epi, Malekula, Ambrym and Pentecost.

While thankfully most communities were quite resilient, the supplies were very much appreciated as the villagers still needed some help in the aftermath of previous cyclones, when little help was received because of pandemic restrictions at the time.

In order to avoid problems, these ‘small’ gifts were given after arranging a public meeting between cruisers and the population around the anchorage.

Everything was done ‘in the open’ and shared by the chiefs between their people. Cruisers in turn accepted the generous welcome gifts of fresh fruits and local handicrafts. It was a win-win situation – as it should always be!

Cruisers can make a difference and emotions ran high.  These were some amazing moments to remember by all who were present!

Coming from far away on our sailboats is just a much deeper experience than being a tourist flying in for a week.

Thanks to all GLYWO500 participants, fund raising patrons and NZ donors as well as Bay of Islands Marina, ICA, Noonsite and SSCA.

It was a great success and all the ni-Vanuatu communities we visited were very happy to welcome us and to receive these disaster relief supplies we brought them. Hopefully more supplies will come this season by other sailors visiting Vanuatu.

A short video of the Tanna gift exchange can be seen here.

Luc Callebaut
Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500 (GLYWO)

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About the Mission

Luc Callebaut and his colleague Victor Taburiaux, organizers of the Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500 (GLYWO), sparked the idea of their rally members bringing aid to Vanuatu following the devastation caused by cyclones Judy and Kevin. Very quickly the idea gained momentum and before long Viki Moore from Island Cruising NZ and Lyndon Tambyln from NZ aid organisation Byond Disaster Relief became involved in the mission along with Watts of Love.

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Related News:

• Aid on the Way for Cyclone Impacted Villages – Noonsite April 2023
• Cruisers Unite to Help Cyclone Ravaged Islands – Noonsite March 2023

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Related Links:

• Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500
• WattsofLove
• Byond Disaster Relief NZ
• Island Cruising Association NZ (ICA)
• Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA)
• Noonsite
• Bay Of Islands Marina
• Yacht Aid Global – Operation Nasama

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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