Cyclone Pam News

Cyclone Pam News – Rah Island Update

Communiucations are back with Rah and Mota Lava islands. The good news is that no-one was badly injured and no properties were destroyed. The bungalows and homes by the water were damaged but can be repaired. This is great news as the damage further south was severe. Rah and Mota Lava are not on the national disaster list and we expect they will not be receiving any aid from their own government or foreign organisations. As such the local people will have to rely on their own ingenuity to clean up the island and repair gardens, bungalows, etc. and on receiving holiday guests to help the local micro-economy. Your holiday as holiday guests is greatly appreciated and very helpful.

The deck that was built out over the water in front of the bungalows has been washed away.

The people of Rah are cleaning up and preparing to receive guests. If you would like to visit the village they are very happy to welcome you. You can speak to your hosts on arrival about which tours and optional activities are available at the time you are there.

A special thank you to those people who have offered some form of assistance and support to the people of Vanuatu at this time. Tankyu tumas. Mi fella evriwan e glad tumas lo help blong yu fella.

PREVIOUS NEWS: Late last week cyclone Pam caused extreme damage to Vanuatu. The latest Rah news update received was on Friday 13/3/15 which indicated that the people on Rah and Mota Lava islands were safe and the homes and bungalows were not destroyed. The water reportedly came up to the protective wall on the beach side of the bungalows but did not damage the property. This is extremely good news considering cyclone Pam moved south becoming a category 5 cyclone and from current reports severly damaged Efate and Port Vila. Communications have not been possible at this stage and we will keep you posted on any updates. 16/3/15

 

Cyclone Pam

Late last week cyclone Pam caused extreme damage to Vanuatu. The Rah news update received was on Friday 13/3/15 indicated that the people on Rah and Mota Lava islands were safe and the homes and bungalows were not destroyed. The water reportedly came up to the protective wall on the beach side of the bungalows but did not damage the property. This is extremely good news considering cyclone Pam moved south becoming a category 5 cyclone and from current reports severly damaged Efate and Port Vila. Communications have not been possible at this stage and we will keep you posted on any updates. 16/3/15

 

Cyclone Pam – how to help

The international community is putting in a big effort to help get Vanuatu back up and running. Thank you to the friends and past guests who have been contacting us and asking how they can help. Here is a good place to start.

www.abc.net.au/appeals

You can donate to the Red Cross on 1800 811 700 or via the Red Cross website or donate to your preferred organisation from our list below.

 

The relief effort
Tropical Cyclone Pam was a category five cyclone when it struck the South Pacific from Wednesday, March 11. It was one of the strongest cyclones experienced within the region.

ABC News reports that aid agencies fear the official death toll will rise as search and rescue teams reach outer islands. It is estimated around 70 per cent of the population has been displaced.

The United Nations says Tropical Cyclone Pam is likely to be the worst natural disaster the South Pacific has seen. At least nine nations have experienced some level of devastation including Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Papua New Guinea.

Oxfam relief workers said up to 90 per cent of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, had been seriously damaged and “entire communities have been blown away”.

Australian Red Cross says its aid workers will focus on assisting communities with food supplies, shelter, water and sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks.

Save The Children says evacuation centres are packed, with agencies focussed on providing support, which may be needed for months as residents rebuild. Agencies are also raising money to assist the country to restore power, sewerage and water systems.

 

How to help

You can assist with donations to the aid agencies listed below to help with disaster relief and humanitarian support. They are members of the Australian Council of International Development (ACFID) and signatories to its code of conduct.