Vanuatu (formerly known as New Hebrides) is located approximately 2000 kilometres north east of Sydney, Australia. Comprising approximately 80 islands of which 65 are inhabited, Vanuatu stretches in a ‘Y’ shape for nearly a thousand kilometres to the equator. With a total land surface area of over 12,000 square kilometres, these islands are home to nearly 250,000 people.

With independence only being declared in 1980, as one of the newest nations, Vanuatu has experienced instability in its political processes, with an attempted succession in its first year. Since that time political issues, such as frequent votes of no-confidence in leaders, allegations of corruption and constantly changing governments, have been commonplace. The economy is fragile, relying upon agricultural and fisheries products for export revenue.

Governed through a unicameral parliamentary system, Vanuatu’s Head of State is the elected President and the Head of Government is the Prime Minister.

French, English and Bislama are the most commonly spoken languages of the more than one hundred different languages of the nation. Vanuatu gradually converted to Christianity following ongoing missionary involvement in the 18^th and 19^th centuries with both Protestant and Roman Catholic churches being well represented at this time.

Vanuatu lies adjacent to the plate boundaries of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates. With active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes, it is one of the more active geological areas in the world. Evidence suggests that a massive volcanic explosion in 1453 destroyed a significant-sized island, leaving two smaller remaining parts. Concern over effects of large geological events remains a constant issue.

Infant mortality rates are very high at nearly 50 deaths per 1000 births and provides support for the view that low adult literacy rates (around 75%) have a great impact upon infant and maternal health and a host of other economic and social issues.