On the 30th of January 2020, WHO declared coronavirus (COVID-19) a global public health emergency. In its early stages, the Covid-19 crisis around the world looked nothing like it is today. The initial state-of-emergency declarations were met by skepticism by both the public, and many in policy circles around the world, which exemplify what behavioral scientists call confirmation bias, until it became a devastating reality. 

On 12 March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on a Pacific island, in French Polynesia, and by that time WHO confirmed 125,048 cases of COVID-19 in 118 countries around the world. This sent shock waves across the Pacific forcing the island nations to take swift action. Most of them imposed a total ban, or major restrictions on international flights, port entries of cruise ships, and a number of them announced a state of emergency, while keeping tight controls on internal movement throughout, and putting in place social distancing and handwashing measures. 

Among a number of things to worry about, and the spread of COVID-19, the social distancing notion was one of the many concerns some worried about. In Vanuatu, Joanna Bule who is a community leader worried about the difficulties of people coping with the notion of social distancing not because of people’s living environments, but for culturals reasons. Like most Pacific island countries, communal activities are part of the culture, and people enjoy meeting and catching up with friends and family through many different types of gatherings. For Ni-Vanuatu, it is a challenge to practice social distancing, however, many have developed ideas such as occupying themselves with gardening or other home activities. Thanks to the Vanuatu Agriculture department for providing support in selling seedlings and organic fertilizer to support households during the Covid-19 pandemic, I know it will have an impact on our economy. Therefore, a practice such as backyard gardening is a good way to sustain families in terms of nutritious food.

Aside from other general questions, Florence also noted the fear of being a young woman during this quarantine period. She had many questions.  Questions about whether or not she has saved enough money to financially sustain her during the period of quarantine. She also wonders what life would be like if Vanuatu gets Covid-19? The question of whether or not young women like her have enough information to keep themselves protected during the quarantine period and how would she keep herself positive without over pancing about the unknown.

In the Solomon Islands, Loate Maetale, a young change maker explains the social distancing and handwashing measures that have been imposed in the communities and provinces by the Solomon island Government by the health authorities to keep the public informed about the measures carried out for COVID-19. She describes the feeling of the threat of COVID-19 posing on the people to be somewhat overwhelming, causing panic among the people especially when the country is also faced with another threat, tropical cyclone Herold. “People are not sure whether they should panic about the threat of COVID-19 or panic about the threat of tropical cyclone Herold. So it is quite overwhelming as people prepare to travel back to their provinces but also concerned about the current bad weather. Giving a stern warning to the young Solomon Islanders to be cautious and take the measures seriously and keep safe.  

Home to approximately 12 million people, not counting Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific Ocean region makes up one-third of the world’s area. The 22 island nations and territories scattered across the Pacific Ocean have one biggest risk factor; the virus to spread throughout these scattered island nations is through global air travel. While that has been taken into account, how air travel bans and restrictions are managed, it is up to each country. Because of their swift actions, tough travel restrictions and their remoteness, 17 of the island nations have managed to escape the importation of the virus, while 5 countries have not been so lucky. As of May 1st 2020, a total of 265 cases have been identified in these 5 countries - Guam, French Polynesia, Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, while the current number of active cases sits at 30, with recoveries reported and 7 deaths in total according to Radio Australia

Listen to their stories on COMING TO THE MAT

Ms Loate Maetale is based in Honiara - Solomon Islands

Ms Joanna Bule is based in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

In response to mounting crises posed by the pandemic of COVID-19 and tropical cyclone Harold, many local communities and Aid agencies in Vanuatu have taken up the role as stakeholders in helping Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) on the regional, provincial, and community level to coordinate responses to emergencies and disasters across the country. 

As the result of the deadly monster storm that barreled through the northern part of Vanuatu in the early hours of the 6th of April, and leaving behind widespread damage to some parts of the Islands, officials had no choice but to put on hold the corona-virus social measures for evacuees. Taking an internal approach, the NDMO decided to close the country’s borders not allowing any foreign aid workers to enter Vanuatu in order to prevent the virus. This has made the lives for those on the front line and for a handful of qualified relief workers very difficult.

A group of young locally trained humanitarians who are working with several Aid agencies on the ground has stepped up to the plate to help out as well. Friends of the Nation Youth have been on the ground in Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island since the cyclone struck. Some of the members of the group who called Santo their home, have also lost everything and have expressed concern about rebuilding amidst the fear of the corona-virus. Despite their fears and concerns, they have gone ahead and organized working parties to distribute seeds for backyard gardening, help to rebuild houses around their communities, and gave moral support as well. Local participants, including young residents, can offer valuable understandings of the dynamics of local places in times of crisis. Valuing the roles of young people and their voices in times of crisis is vital. 

Listen to story behind the work being done

Mrs. Beatreace's home destroyed by tropical cyclone, Harold at Bannan area on the Island of Santo

Friends of the Nation Youth Santo distributing food and seeds for backyard gardens to families in Santo that have lost their houses during tropical cyclone, Harold.

One of the team members of Friends of the Nation Youth handing over seeds and a seasonal calendar to a daughter and mother who have also lost their home during the cyclone.

A community shop completely destroyed by tropical cyclone Harold. Mr. Alphonse’s shop.

Handing out food, seeds, and a seasonal calendar to families that lost their homes during the cyclone.

Despite the fact that most of the team members of the Friends of the Nation Youth have lost their homes during the category 5 cyclone; they were able to purchase food and some materials to send to the families who have lost their homes on the island of Pentecost.

Everyone is talking about social distancing to help combat the spread of coronavirus, but what does keeping your distancing actually look like for the Pacific Island countries and the communities? What does it look like for individual Pacific Islanders? While the rest of the world is coming to terms with the new reality of how to respond to the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) or have an optimal plan in place for when the virus arrives in their country, the Islands in the South Pacific find themselves cut off and isolated. 

Many businesses and schools are closed to stop the spread of the virus in the Pacific region. In stopping the virus, most of the common communal venues like the churches, in the communities and villages, families, and friends are discouraged to gather together in large numbers.

Public health officials are urging everyone to practice social distancing and practice proper hygiene protocols of washing hands, sneezing into the elbow, stay home if you are sick, do not hug, and do not shake hands. In the Pacific region, social distancing is a hard concept to grasp, in fact, it’s seen as a foreign concept.

The idea that families, friends, and communities cannot socially share time together does not fit within the social fabric and the norms of the way of life in the Pacific. Social distancing will take time for people to adapt to considering it is not a norm in the Pacific Island culture to distance themselves from each other. The culture in the Pacific is a culture that embraces the gathering of families, people, and social practices.

Mr. David Marena, MWT’s country and culture coordinator in Bougainville, which is an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea along with the surrounding atolls explains how that is done there. He also explains his role as a community leader during this time - COVID-19 on COMING TO THE MAT podcast.

In Bougainville, the ABG government has prolonged the 14-day lockdown to 21 days.