Vanuatu 2002

Vanuatu in 2002 was a parliamentary republic with Kalkot Matas Kelekele as its Head of State. It was composed of eighty-two islands and the population of Vanuatu at that time was approximately 200,000 people and its official language was Bislama. The country had a parliamentary system of government with a Prime Minister as its head since 1980. The economy of Vanuatu was largely based on agriculture, fishing and tourism but it also had a growing services sector. Education was free for all citizens up to secondary school level and the literacy rate was estimated to be around 85%. Healthcare services were provided by the government at no cost for all citizens but many suffered from diseases such as malaria due to poor sanitation practices and lack of access to clean water sources. In 2002, Vanuatu had made some progress in terms of economic development but still had high levels of poverty compared to other countries in Oceania. According to computerannals, the country also had a very open foreign policy, which saw it joining many international organizations such as the Pacific Islands Forum and United Nations, while maintaining strong relations with both Western and non-Western countries.

Yearbook 2002

Vanuatu. In the May 2 election, the ruling party VP (Vanuaaku Pati) received 14 seats in parliament and the UMP (Union of Moderate Parties) 15. Although the opposition party became the largest, the parties agreed that Edward Natapei (VP) would remain as prime minister.

According to Countryaah website, national day of Vanuatu is every July 30. The police system was shaken during the summer by a power struggle at the highest level. The background was a conflict over a new police chief who was appointed in July. In November, a lawsuit was initiated against eight police officers, who were charged with mutiny.

Two earthquakes in January demanded no casualties but, according to the country’s emergency authority, caused damage to about $ 700,000.

Vanuatu is one of seven countries that remain on the OECD’s black list of tax havens and are threatened by penalties if they do not accept increased transparency in the banking business.

Vanuatu Border Countries Map

Vanuatu Country Overview

Visas and admission
Finnish citizen does not need a visa for a 90-day trip to Vanuatu. The passport must be valid for 6 months after leaving the country.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well.

Many dive trips require more extensive insurance. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Currency: Vatu (VUV). 1 € = 1.29 VUV. Currency is not available from Finland. The Australian dollar (AUD) is also commonly used in Port Vila.

Vaccinations
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid (tetanus, polio and diphtheria and MPR). Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the trip.

Always check the vaccination requirements at the health center or the Vaccination Advice of the Tourist Clinic

Time difference
9 hours

Electric current
The electric current is 220 V / 50 Hz. Sockets are similar to, for example, in Australia.

Safety
We stay in safe areas during our trip, but general caution within common sense is desirable throughout the trip.

For more information on traveling in the country, see the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ travel bulletin.

History

During the nineties the fragmentation of the political framework was accentuated in the country, while serious financial scandals involved a finance minister and some prominent personalities of economic life. Just twenty years after the achievement of independence, obtained in July 1980, the republic of Vanuatu was already showing a strong internal instability, as demonstrated in November and December 1995, after the general elections, the difficult consultations for the formation of the government. The new prime minister chosen by Parliament, S. Vohor, of the traditional French-speaking party that won the elections, the Union des partis modérés (UPM), formed a coalition government with allies of the National United Party (NUP). In opposition, since 1991, the Vanuaaku Pati (VP), the traditional Anglophone party. In the following years, the emergence of strong contrasts within the UfM and the spread of news of the government’s involvement in the scandals led to a decline in support for the French-speaking party, which was defeated by the VP in the elections of March 1998: quest The latter obtained 18 seats compared to the 12 won by the UPM. In March 1999 JB Bani was elected president by the vote of all ruling and opposition parties, with the exception of the National United Party.