A group of voyagers organized by liveaboard Luc Callebaut — who, along with his wife Jackie was interviewed in ON’s 2022 Ocean Voyager annual issue — is pitching in to assist the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu after it recently suffered two tropical cyclones — Cyclone Judy and Cyclone Kevin — and also a magnitude 6.5 and a magnitude 5.4 earthquake. The assistance effort is being aided by such groups as the Seven Seas Cruising Association; the Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500; Byond Disaster Relief NZ; Bay of Islands Marina, Port Opua, New Zealand; and Noonsite.com.
Callebaut wrote: “Sailors visiting Vanuatu soon are in a unique position to bring necessary supplies to the local communities they visit. The Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500, a round-the-world sailing rally, will visit seven islands of Vanuatu in May 2023. Our participants have already bought wheelchairs and crutches (that was all done before the latest tropical cyclone), but now that so many more people are in need, we could bring more to Vanuatu.
“The fleet of 20 boats is already committed to bringing emergency relief items like water filtration kits, tool kits, shelter kits, water storage solutions, solar lights and more that will be donated via Byond Disaster Relief NZ. But we could do more with your help.”
For more information and to make a monetary donation go to the Vanuatu assistance website at www.givesendgo.com/G9WX5.