First distribution by World Vision takes place in Port Vila
World Vision has completed its first round of distributions in Port Vila today to vulnerable communities affected by Cyclone Pam.
Items distributed include prepositioned relief goods from World Vision’s Port Vila warehouse space. World Vision has so far distributed 45 shelter kits, 45 hygiene kits and 45 kitchen sets and further distributions are planned in the coming hours.
On arriving in Vanuatu, World Vision's Emergency Operations Manager Alex Snary said: “The devastation is vast. Trees are uprooted, power lines and corrugated iron roofs litter the road. Homes are badly damaged. A 6pm curfew has been put in place tonight.”
- Shelter Kits contain items such as tarpaulins, hammers, nails, saws, ropes, shovels.
- Hygiene Kits contain items such as toothpaste and toothbrush, soap, sanitary items for women, shaving razors, sewing kit, bucket, candles and waterproof matches.
- Kitchen Sets contain items such as cooking pots, cups, plates and cutlery.
Additional supplies are en route to Vanuatu.
It is still unclear how many people might have been killed across the 82 islands of the Republic of Vanuatu (pop 267,000) following the cyclone.
“We are deeply concerned about how communities, and especially children, have been impacted by this cyclone,” said World Vision Vanuatu Country Director Michael Wolfe.
“The cyclone effectively hit all of the islands, many of which are remote, low lying and extremely vulnerable. Experience tells us that children are especially at risk to sea surges and the secondary impacts of a cyclone, including water source corruption by seawater, hunger following crop devastation and trauma – both physical and psychological.”
He said it could take many days to assess the islands both by air and boat and World Vision staff hoped to join assessments on Australian military flights in the coming days.
Initial surveys have been carried out in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila area. Such was the extent of the devastation that aid agencies fear the worst for the other 81 islands where people chiefly live in thatched homes with few solid buildings to evacuate to.
Within the Port Vila area 25 evacuation centres have been set up to house up to 10,000 people. Aid agencies will be providing services to these centres. Over the coming days they will be working to coordinate their responses. The assessments will provide agencies a much clearer idea of what is needed and where and will guide the supplies that are dispatched.
World Vision aid supplies based in Brisbane are also on standby to be flown in to Vanuatu once an air corridor has been established.