Seaqaqa market vendors have stood the test of time.

They have forged ahead bravely through the trying times they faced during Tropical Cyclone Yasa and Ana including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vendor, Niumai Vaukoso said despite the pandemic affecting sales, she managed to earn an income and sustain her family’s livelihood.

She normally earned $70 per day pre-COVID-19 but has had to survive on $30 to $40 each day.

Ms Vaukoso hopes sales will get better with certain COVID-19 restrictions now easing off.

She said with 70 per cent allowed in houses of worship and other festive events, consumer demand for their vegetables and root crops would increase.

“When inter-island services resume, market activity will definitely be high as traveler’s would stop over for a quick buy and refreshment,” she said.

Another struggling vendor Parfibha Kumari said the state of the market was another issue they faced.

“After our stalls were damaged by the cyclones, we vendors had to rebuild our own tables and rely on donations to reconstruct the market structure from scratch,” Ms Kumari said.

The 47-year-old single mother said she had to operate in an environment where the risk of heavy winds and floods destroying the market area again was a possibility.

Ms Kumari hopes assistance from Government and non-government organizations are forthcoming to address the structural needs of the market.

There are 12 stall owners operating from the market.