The drone travelled 40 kilometres across the island of Erromango before landing in Cook’s Bay.
After a short 25 minute flight, the drone landed and was welcomed by a crowd of people - including families who walked several kilometres just to witness the landing - and greeted by a traditional dance marking the beginning of something “new” and “good”.
Among them was baby Joy, who was waiting to be immunised against tuberculosis and hepatitis B by local nurse Miriam Nampil.
In the past, Miriam would normally trek for several hours over mountainous terrain, carrying an ice box to keep vaccines cool. It is just like transporting a block of ice. If at any stage the vaccine’s temperature drops below two degrees or rises above eight, it can become unusable.
Her only other option was by boat, which was often cancelled due to bad weather or dangerous sea conditions with waves reaching as high as three to five metres.