Yearbook 2019
Vanuatu. In January, 685 people were forced to leave
their homes on the island of Ambrym after the eruption of
the volcano on the island. The huge forces caused cracks in
the ground, including one that opened in the middle of a
village and caused damage to the houses. According to
CountryAAH, that same month,
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Vanuatu. It
was the first bilateral state visit an Australian head of
government made in the country and the second visit ever;
former Prime Minister Bob Hawke attended a Pacific Island
Forum meeting in Vanuatu in 1990.
In March, Donald Kalpokas passed away, a few months
before he turned 76. Kalpokas was one of three political
leaders who played a crucial role when Vanuatu became
independent in 1980 and is considered one of the nation's
fathers. In July, Viran Molisa Trief became the first female
member of the country's highest court. The 43-year-old Trief
previously held a post corresponding to the Justice
Chancellor, including that of the first woman. In October, a
fish processing plant was opened on the outskirts of the
capital Port Vila. The factory has been built in cooperation
with China.
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