Tear Fund Prepares for Vanuatu Communities for Cyclone Pam

Tear Fund Prepares for Vanuatu Communities for Cyclone Pam

TEAR Fund’s partners are preparing for the worst as Super Cyclone Pam bears down on Vanuatu. TEAR Fund CEO, Ian McInnes says teams on the ground are securing buildings and battening down the hatches as TEAR Fund prepares to respond to the aftermath of the category 5 storm.

TEAR Fund has been working with communities on the Island of Tanna to be disaster-ready through emergency response training, the drying and storage of emergency food supplies and water collection to help see them through until food aid arrives. “In the face of such a ferocious cyclone every bit of preparation could be life-saving”, says Mr McInnes.

Director of TEAR Fund’s partner Nasi Tuan in Tanna, Jeffrey Lahva said today: “There are strong winds and heavy rain at the moment but not much damage as yet. We are yet to feel the full force of this cyclone which will hit tonight. Nasi Tuan is working with local disaster response cluster groups ensuring that communities are preparing and making sure people get to safety as the storm builds.”

Another TEAR Fund partner, Ola Fou, is also working in Vanuatu training locals in disaster preparedness. Ola Fou reports that in Sarakata settlement on the Island of Santo, people have been evacuating from unsafe houses to stronger buildings.

Mr McInnes says this could be the biggest cyclone to hit Vanuatu. “It is currently bigger than cyclone Bola in 1988 which had sustained winds of up 195kmh, so I urge Kiwis to give generously as the impact will be devastating.”

To help cyclone-affected communities in Vanuatu go to tearfund.org.nz or phone 0800 800 777

ENDS

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