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Pacific News In Brief For 13 March
Vanuatu - deportations
Vanuatu authorities have deported a group of Vietnamese nationals found selling tarpaulins while on tourist visas.
Local media reported they violated their visa conditions by engaging in commercial activities.
The government facilitated their voluntary deportation as part of its enforcement of immigration regulations.
Officials have reminded visitors to comply with visa conditions and warn that breaches may result in removal from the country.
Fiji - election
Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry hopes to contest Fiji's general election next year.
Ten proposed political parties have shown interest in registering for the election so far, although a date has not been set.
Chaudhry, 83, said Labour has a duty to the country and he will stand if he can.
"Labour is going to contest the election. If I am alright then I will do that because I think I need to do that," he said.
"We owe our duty to the country."
Chaudhry was the seventh highest polling candidate in the last general election in 2022, but it was not enough to meet the electoral threshold to get him into parliament.
He was ineligible to contest in 2018 after being convicted of offences under the Exchange Control Act.
Climate - funding
Japan will be first off the mark injecting millions into a fund set up by Pacific leaders for climate finacing before it's even been ratified.
Unlike New Zealand, Australia and the United States - who have set money asside but fallen short of actually trasferring the money until the fund is ratified later this year - Japan is tranfering US$3 million into the fund this month.
The Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) was set up because Pacific nations have been struggling to acess global funds for years - to build seawalls and prepare for and build back from natural disasters.
The PRF Treaty is earmarked to be signed at the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Solomon Islands in September, and they are set to start approving grants by the end of next year.
Fiji - funding
The Green Climate Fund has approved US$12.9 million in grants for early warning systems in Fiji.
This support is part of the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All initiative.
Munkhtuya Altangerel from the UNDP Pacific Office said by combining indigenous knowledge with advanced technology, and collaborating with traditional leaders, women's groups, and youth networks, this initiative will ensure that Fiji's early warning systems are tailored to the unique needs of every community.
Solomon Islands - funding
Solomon Islands and Australia have launched a AU$150m health partnership to run until 2028.
Australian High Commissioner Rod Hilton said half of this money will go directly to Provincial Health Departments and Honiara City Council to deliver essential primary health services.
The partnership will also support the National Referral Hospital and establish a AU$2m Permanent Secretary's Women in Health Leadership Award.
Australia - election
Climate activists are working with Pacific diaspora communities in Australia to build voter awareness and spotlight climate demands ahead of the country's federal election.
350.org Pacific has launched a campaign in Western Sydney, where nearly 20 percent of the country's Pacific Island population resides.
The organisation said young Pacific Islanders believe that having people prepared to cast an informed vote in the face of increasing climate disasters is crucial.
Campaigner Jacynta Fa'amau said there is a privilege and a responsibility that comes with being a Pacific Islander living in Australia, and they are constantly reminded of the power their vote holds in deciding what government acts as a neighbour to their islands.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has yet to announce an election date due to ex-cyclone Alfred.
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