‘It is heart breaking to see the extraordinary scale of devastation’ of Cyclone Pam in Vantuatu

“It is heart breaking to see the extraordinary scale of devastation,” said Osnat Lubrani, touring the island of Tafea.*

On 13 March, Tropical Cyclone Pam swept through the archipelago, wiping out homes and infrastructure, destroying the electricity network and razing crops in the mainly agricultural country.

So far, aid has reached all 22 storm-affected islands of the country, despite significant logistical challenges due to the geographic spread of the archipelago.

“While we can already see the positive impact of the Government-led emergency relief operation, we still need to scale up efforts to ensure all islands are provided with food, water, shelter and medical care,” Ms. Lubrani said. “The emergency is not over yet.”

Referring to the strength of the people of Vanuatu Ms. Lubrani continued, “At the same time I am also impressed by the resilience of the people who are already beginning to rebuild their lives with the help of local authorities and the international community.”

WFP has sent high-energy biscuits (HEBs) to priority islands in Vanuatu where families don’t have access to clean water for cooking. Photo:WFP/Victoria Cavanagh

Lubrani warned that a secondary emergency could hit Vanuatu. The cyclone destroyed more than 90 per cent of crops, leaving a population that heavily relies on subsistence agriculture without a source of income and the possibility of long-term food insecurity.

“One of the women I met told me that they are in urgent need of income, having nothing to sell on the local market and no money to even buy soap,” Lubrani said.

She also met with provincial authorities, assessed damage to local infrastructure and visited one of the relief distribution sites.

“We will continue to stand by the side of the people of Vanuatu and I call on the international community to support our work on the ground,” the Humanitarian Coordinator pledged.

The United Nations and its partners have started to provide families with seed kits to ensure long-term food security, and will support the government in restoring community infrastructure and reviving economic activities. But the world body needs $29.9 million to cover the needs of 166,000 cyclone-affected people for three months.

To date $6.4 million has been pledged since the launch of the Flash Appeal on 24 March but more support is needed. (*Source: UN).