World Vision begins distributing aid in Vanuatu

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

World Vision has begun distributing much needed aid in Vanuatu in the wake of Cyclone Pam.

The first shelter and hygiene kits were distributed in the capital, Port Vila, Monday 16 March, ahead of major distributions.

Additional relief supplies are being flown into Vanuatu with the generous support of the Australian Government and will be distributed by World Vision as soon as possible.

World Vision has participated in initial aerial assessments over remote southern provinces and is hoping to be able to quickly distribute aid outside of Port Vila.

The humanitarian agency has deployed disaster specialists from Australia and New Zealand, including specialists in disaster management, logistics and shelter.

World Vision staff report that:

• Communications in Vanuatu remain poor.
• The hospital in Port Vila is operational, but has suffered damage and is overcrowded and under-staffed.
• Hospital vehicles are short of fuel.
• There are critically low supplies of shelter items and relief supplies, despite World Vision having pre-positioned supplies ahead of the cyclone.
• There appears to be greater than 80 per cent damage to power lines.
• There is likely to be a shortage of safe drinking water in affected areas.

Humanitarian organisations are coordinating their response and have agreed to focus on food, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, health, protection, education and communications.

World Vision pre-positioned relief goods in Port Vila, Santo Island, and Tanna Island prior to the Friday 13 Cyclone. Items included tarpaulins, tools, water containers, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, baby kits, and kitchen sets. World Vision was also active throughout last week urging communities to evacuate to local storm shelters.

World Vision has been working in Vanuatu since 1981 and currently has projects across six provinces.

To donate to World Vision Australia’s Disaster Ready call 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au/cyclonepam

For interviews with World Vision staff in Vanuatu, contact:

• Stuart Rintoul on +61 (0) 407 241 492 or stuart.rintoul@worldvision.com.au 
  
• Kayla Robertson: +61 (0) 418 762 926 or kayla.robertson@worldvision.com.au
  
• Gabrielle Brophy: +61 (0) 407 575 112 or gabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au

Media Releases, Emergencies, Asia and the Pacific, Cyclone Pam, Disaster relief, Foreign Aid, Vanuatu

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