Vanuatu – France is making active efforts and mounting solidarity operations for the Vanuatu people in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic (04 Apr. 2022)

In response to the needs expressed by the Vanuatu authorities in order to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, France is making active efforts and mounting solidarity operations for the Vanuatu people.

In the framework of an operation coordinated by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) and conducted in conjunction with the French Embassy in Port Vila, the New Caledonia Government has provided Vanuatu with 50,000 antigen tests and 50,000 self-tests, as well as 30,000 FFP2 masks and 200 pulse oximeters to combat the upsurge of COVID cases in Vanuatu. The equipment was delivered by a CASA aircraft of the New Caledonian armed forces (FANC).

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, through the Crisis and Support Centre and in conjunction with the Ministry for Solidarity and Health, will shortly organize the delivery of oxygen therapy equipment to Vanuatu, particularly ventilators and oxygen generators, 30,000 antigen tests and self-tests, and medicine to treat severe forms of COVID. This second operation will also be conducted with the support of FANC.

These operations show France’s commitment to the South Pacific States, in the framework of France and Europe’s strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.