Joylyn John credits her sister’s heartfelt morning prayer for protecting her family from the aftermath of the recent earthquake that hit Port Vila. John, along with her colleague Marie Dick, is in Lautoka for a weeklong training organized by Live and Learn Vanuatu.
The earthquake experience was deeply unsettling for John’s family back home. She struggled to reach them due to network disruptions, anxiously waiting until the evening to hear from them. Fortunately, when contact was finally made, she learned that her family was safe, with no structural damage to their home. They had evacuated to higher ground in response to a tsunami warning, staying there until the early hours of the morning.
One of her sisters expressed that it was a terrifying experience, attributing her survival during the ordeal to the morning prayer. After the tsunami warning was lifted, the family made their way back home. However, the region still faced challenges, as power and water supplies were disrupted due to significant damage to several storage tanks and fallen electrical poles. UNELCO, the primary provider of these services in Port Vila, has been working to restore everything.
Marie Dick, who lives in Emua Village just north of Port Vila, also recounted the fear and uncertainty of the day. She received a message from her husband during lunch about the incident and found it difficult to sleep, remaining awake until the early morning hours when he reassured her of their safety.
In light of the situation, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) informed Dick that only medical flights would be operating temporarily, with no commercial flights available.
This incident underlines the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of natural disasters, showcasing the importance of faith and the strength of familial support during challenging times.
Summary: Joylyn John believes her sister’s morning prayer protected her family during the recent earthquake in Port Vila. Despite initial fears and disruptions, her family emerged unscathed after evacuating due to a tsunami warning. Essential services are being restored as the community comes together in recovery efforts. The experience highlights resilience and the power of faith in times of crisis.
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