May 22nd 2024.
Approximately 200 Australians have found themselves stranded in the midst of riots in New Caledonia. They have been anxiously waiting, with their bags packed, for the moment they can safely leave the French Pacific territory. Among them are Jason and Ashleigh Desmond, who were scheduled to fly out with their two young sons last Tuesday, but have been unable to do so due to the ongoing chaos.
According to Mr. Desmond, their flight was cancelled on the day of departure, May 14, and they were given no explanation until their transportation informed them that it was unsafe to fly and all flights had been cancelled. This morning, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that French authorities would begin flights to help stranded tourists leave the territory safely. This news follows the arrival of two repatriation flights in Brisbane last night.
Despite this, the Desmond family is still unsure of when they will be able to leave, as they have received limited notice in the past. Mr. Desmond expressed his lack of confidence in the situation, stating that there is no guarantee that all remaining Australian tourists will be able to return home anytime soon. He shared that they are currently staying in a safer area of Noumea with increased security, but they still feel uneasy going outside to buy food.
The riots began last week in response to reforms in Paris that would allow recent arrivals to the territory to vote in local elections, which some local leaders fear will weaken the voice of the indigenous Kanak people. The Kanak people make up 40% of New Caledonia's total population and have long called for independence from France. Despite three referendums on the topic since 2018, the pro-independence vote has fallen short each time, with the most recent one being boycotted in 2021.
In response to the unrest, a state of emergency was declared last week and France has sent an additional 1000 security reinforcements to the territory to control the violence. The Desmond family has witnessed explosions and fires near their hotel, causing other guests to take turns keeping watch at night. Local shops have limited food supplies, and some have been completely burned down. Mr. Desmond shared that his family has gone without lunch for the past five days so that their children can have enough food.
He also explained the difficult situation with food shortages and disrupted transportation, saying that they recently waited in line for an hour and 40 minutes at a nearby bakery only to find out that they were out of bread due to a flour shortage. He added that the community of stranded tourists has come together, sharing food and supporting each other during this challenging time.
Mr. Desmond confessed that he and his family will likely feel on edge until they reach Australian soil, and when they do, they will be grateful and relieved. He also acknowledged that while their situation is scary, there are others who are facing even more difficult circumstances. However, this experience has been the scariest one that his family has ever encountered.
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