Vanuatu Red Cross responds to Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam

“The humanitarian needs are enormous,” says Augustine Garae, head of disaster management for the Vanuatu Red Cross as surveyed the scene in Port Vila. “We know there has been widespread destruction and many people have lost their homes.” Shelter, water, food and first aid are urgent priorities and the Red Cross is working closely with local authorities and other actors to support the government-led response. In collaboration with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the Vanuatu Red Cross is contacting its branches and volunteers to gather information on impact and in preparation for assessment and distributions. The Vanuatu Red Cross has 200 active volunteers who are being mobilized and another 200 volunteers on standby. Thousands of people have been seeking safety in safe buildings and evacuations centres. In Erromango Island and other areas of Vanuatu, people have also used traditional methods of protection, sheltering in caves. “Communication is down in much of the country but we are doing everything possible to help those in need,” says Aurélia Balpe, head of delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Pacific. “Tens of thousands of people are still in the middle of a terrifying ordeal and we need to urgently assess the humanitarian needs and start meeting them as soon as possible”. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has made an allocation of 133,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the relief efforts of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society. For updates refer to www.ifrc.org – –