Vanuatu: Cyclone Pam Relief

March 24, 2015

PBV is currently conducting a needs assessment in Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone Pam, working closely with local governments, national government agencies, INGOs and NGOs, and civil society on the ground.

PBV is actively taking part in the UN cluster meetings, to ensure that our activities are part of the larger international community’s movements to provide assistance and to ensure that all information is shared as much as possible to reduce duplication of efforts.

Although the capital, Port Vila (population approx. 50,000), has had many essential services and infrastructure restored, some of the outer islands are badly affected and lacking basic lifelines, according to some reports and information here in Port Vila.

Please see here for UNOCHA’s most recent Situation Report.

The UN also launched a Flash Appeal yesterday for a further $29.9 million in funding (please see here).

PBV’s coordinator will depart Port Vila on March 25th for Tongoa Island (population 3000, part of the Shepherd Islands group) to conduct a 2-day needs assessment, after meeting with the Island’s Member of Parliament.

According to the Member of Parliament, 90 percent of homes have been damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Pam, and all 8 schools have been wiped out. He says that Tongoa Island first received aid 10 days after the cyclone (March 23rd), and that many urgent needs are still to be met.

More updates to follow.

Please see here for the PBV online English-language donations page.

http://pbv.or.jp/donate/2015_vanuatu/english.html