Vanuatu flattened

It is estimated that at least half the population of Vanuatu has been affected by Cyclone Pam, one of the strongest recorded cyclones in the Pacific. The devastating Category 5 brought 260km/h-plus winds, storm surges and wild flooding.

There are confirmed reports of dozens of lost lives, with the toll in outer low-lying island areas expected to rise. There are 54,000 children in Vanuatu, reports UNICEF, which has supplied the following information.

Many homes in Vanuatu have been destroyed, as they are built with natural and local materials such as thatched and corrugated roofs that are vulnerable to strong winds and floods.

As you can see from the opening photo (courtesy Humans of Vanuatu and Care Australia), cruising yachts and other boats in the area have been destroyed.

Schools, churches and community halls are being used as emergency shelters. Many of these buildings are likely to have suffered structural damage. Lifeline facilities like hospitals, electrical utilities, water supply and telephone systems are most likely severely damaged.

Power and water supply has been affected across Vanuatu, including in the capital city Port Vila.

Other Pacific Island countries have been severely impact as well, including the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati.

UNICEF is on the ground in the affected countries, providing immediate assistance. Most urgent needs include the provision of water containers, purification tablets, soap and temporary sanitation facilities.

In Vanuatu, health centres have likely sustained severe damage and will need rebuilding and restocking with medical and nutrition supplies. Plans are under way to support the Government to do a major measles immunization campaign, given recent cases.

Schools are being used as evacuation centres, and UNICEF will be supporting children's education, including providing school in a box kits. Child friendly spaces will be set up in evacuation centres to provide children with psychosocial assistance.

UNICEF's immediate needs to assist the affected countries is at least AUS$2.62 million, initially covering support to water, sanitation, hygiene, health, education, nutrition and protection services, and including support for the high costs of logistics across this vast geographic area.

Care Australia has launched a Cyclone Pam appeal. See www.care.org.au. Donate by phone and call 1800 020 046 toll free and pay by credit card.

VANUATU AMBASSADOR TO THE EU

The government of Vanuatu through the National Disaster Management Office in consultation with the developing partners is doing what it can to provide support and assistance to its citizen, particularly those from Port Vila and the surrounding islands who have been devastated by the recent tropical cyclone Pam.

In an effort to coordinate and support such course Vanuatu emergency rescue teams have been established in a number of countries and working strenuously at the forefront of disaster relief in the country, with the objective of effectively and systematically coordinating and managing aid programs and assistance to Vanuatu. 

The Vanuatu government appreciates an effective response made by the (European Union) Dutch government and relevant agencies in disaster relief in the areas of humanitarian relief, early recovery, reconstruction and long term development.

In effectively managing such process, the Vanuatu Ambassador to the European Union as clearly endorsed and fully support the eventual establishment of a Dutch water management coordination team through effective planning and speedy action which will help coordinate relief efforts in Vanuatu, particularly through the National Disaster Management Office and other relevant National agencies.

The tropical cyclone Pam that devastated this small Pacific country on Friday the 13, 2015 is indeed the most powerful destructive natural disaster ever experienced by this group of islands since cyclone Uma on the 7th of February 1987.

The government of Vanuatu through all its diplomatic and honorary consuls representations is in the process of establishing appropriate focal points to assist in the humanitarian medicinal and other necessary support to assist in the rebuilding and reconstruction of the Vanuatu society and its people.

The Vanuatu Ambassador to the EU through its diplomatic representation in the Hague will be coordinating with HE Madam Elisabeth van Vliet, Vanuatu’s Honorary Consul to the Netherlands for any assistance from the Dutch Government or any aid relief assistance towards Vanuatu’s Cyclone Pam relief assistance.