ShelterBox responds to Cyclone Hit Vanuatu
Disaster relief charity ShelterBox is poised to mobilise aid to help victims of Cyclone Pam in the South Pacific.
With winds of up to 170 mph, the cyclone has devastated the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu, a little over 1,000
miles north east of Australia.
There are already reports of eight known deaths, but aid agencies on the scene expect numbers of fatalities to run into
dozens.
Unicef executive director Vivien Maidaborn in New Zealand has warned that: "Early reports are indicating that this
weather disaster could potentially be one of the worst in Pacific history." Unicef spokeswoman Alice Clements described
the cyclone as "15-30 minutes of absolute terror" as it passed over Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.
The archipelago is made up of 82 islands, 65 of which are inhabited, and there are concerns for people in remote
locations. Vanuatu's president Iolu Johnson Abil said he had a "heavy heart" and has appealed for aid.
Helston-based disaster relief agency ShelterBox, which provides portable emergency shelter and equipment for families
displaced by natural catastrophes, has its people and aid poised to help.
ShelterBox operations co-coordinator Phil Duloy said: "We have contacted the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, the Vanuatu government, colleague charity CARE International, Australia’s Department of Foreign
Affairs, and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International.
"All are aware of ShelterBox's capability and willingness to respond to any unmet shelter needs generated by the
cyclone. ShelterBox stands ready to act quickly to deliver prepositioned emergency materials that we have available in
the region."
Vanuatu’s airport is closed due to flooding, but public works are clearing the runways urgently. Roads remain blocked
with debris, and power and communications lines are down.
Operations manager Alf Evans added: "ShelterBox response team members Ross Mackenzie from New Zealand and Peter Pearce
from Australia are on standby to fly to Vanuatu as soon as the airport re-opens. ShelterBox aid already stockpiled in
the region will be sent in as soon as import details can be sorted, and we have identified a need we can respond to as
part of the wider effort."
ENDS