Vanuatu's Market Mamas Forced To Move After December Earthquake

Thursday, 29 May 2025, 5:49 pm
Article: RNZ

Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific Journalist

Port Vila's "mamas" had to adapt to feed their communities after being displaced by the 7.3 magnitude earthquake which damaged the city's main market house in the centre of town.

At the Port Vila Show Ground Market, groups of women sold their produce under a marquee-style tarpaulin shelter set up beside a permanent concrete verandah.

Those operating under the temporary shelters once sold their wares at the Central Market House in downtown Port Vila before it was damaged in the quake.

The earthquake killed 14 and injured more than 250. The NDMO said 80,000 people were effected and 1473 displaced from their homes.

Fresh produce seller Leidab David said when the earthquake struck they were at the national market in town and they all ran.

"We did not know where to go to do our market," she said.

"After some days, weeks and months had passed now we have come together again. We have found ourselves here in the market house at Seaside."

Each mama pays a table fee to the Port Vila Municipal Council to sell their goods.

Under the marquee there are approximately 16 to 20 tables - about 8 to 10 on each side.

Those on the concrete verandah are largely vendors who had already been based at the Show Ground Market.

"Now the public and vendors know that the mamas that used to market in town, which is damaged - they are all coming to this place," David said.

"Now we are starting to sell and now the room, the place is small."

David said the manager has told them that if they come and it is full, sellers can go to Fres Wota Park and to Anamburu Park.

For two older mamas, Susan Esau (63) and Elsie Solo (72), selling their produce daily earns them up to 20,000 vatu (US$165.48) a week.

Solo, who sells coconuts, said she has seven people in her family to feed while Easu, who sells fruit, said she has six mouths to feed.

"Yes, it is enough" they say to help provide and put food on the table for their family.

The Show Ground Market is now one of the few satellite markets with access to toilets and running water, an essential service for vendors who spend long days at their stalls.

Leidab David said they need a better venue.

"We need a big building; we need a safe place for all of us to come to and be safe," she said.

"We want a good one like at the national market. Right now we are just doing things individually. We need a big space for us vendors to come to and be safe."

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