Natural disasters can severely disrupt the livelihoods of small businesses, such as local handicraft vendors.
The President of Senta Point Stage Wan Mama Handicraft said that even just one week of closure can affect their ability to support their families.
Following such disasters, they emphasized that government and NGO support must be fair and reach everyone.
Tui Johnson cited the 2024 Vanuatu earthquake as a real example, noting that its impact is still being felt today.
Many women had to move around to find new locations to sell their products, and demand for their goods also dropped significantly.