More than 50 women handicraft vendors in Port Vila say they are yet to receive any government support following last year’s earthquake, despite applying for assistance months ago.

The Ni-Vanuatu Arts and Handicraft Association claims each of its members should receive around 186,000 vatu under the Small Business Grant program.

Association President Rebecca Bule told VBTC News that nearly 1.5 million vatu worth of damage was caused to members’ wooden carvings and products during the disaster.

“Over 53 mothers here have not yet received any support funds from the government. We know there’s a process, but since the earthquake, nothing has come through,” Mrs. Bule said.

“We applied for the small business grant on May 12, and we were told that each vendor might get more than 100,000 vatu to help. But so far, we’re still waiting.”

Information from the Department of Finance confirms that over 90 applications are still pending, as funds have already been allocated and are being processed.

The government had committed more than 62 million vatu in small business relief grants to support micro-entrepreneurs affected by the 2024 earthquake.

Handicraft vendors are now calling for urgent action so they can recover and continue their business, which plays a vital role in both local culture and tourism.