A Queensland father is pleading for help to bring his son and family home from the Vanuatu disaster zone in time for Christmas.
“He had to be carried by his mother and his 78-year-old grandmother out of the house when it happened,” he said.
“The floor was covered in everything you can imagine [including] glass [and] crockery.”
Lynch, who was back in Australia, desperately searched for a way to get his family home.
The Queensland dad hoped the Royal Australian Air Force flights might be the answer, but said he was told by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that the flight couldn’t accommodate people who require wheelchairs.
“It’s not the place for a young boy with disabilities, he should be back home,” Lynch said.
“They’ve completely neglected vulnerable people and specifically in the case of my 14-year-old-boy with a disability, he has been left behind,” Lynch said.
“I don’t know when he’s going to come home.”
Since the earthquake, 424 Australians have returned home on Royal Australian Airforce planes.
Another two planes are expected to touch down in Brisbane tonight.
In good news for Lynch, late this afternoon the Port Vila International Airport announced it would reopen for commercial flights tomorrow.
Both Virgin and Qantas have confirmed they will resume services but Qantas confirmed it would not open to new bookings until after Christmas Day, while the airline works with DFAT to prioritise customers with existing bookings and those who need additional assistance.
Stranded passengers have been urged to contact their airlines to confirm details of their flights.
