Cyclone Ivy: Red Cross Sends Aid Worker To Vanuatu

New Zealand Red Cross is sending an experienced relief worker to Vanuatu, to assist communities devastated by Cyclone Ivy. Cyclone Ivy battered the small Pacific nation on 26 February, with winds of 130-150 km/h in Vanuatu’s northern and central islands.

Latest reports suggest up to 2500 families are homeless or seriously affected, mainly in the north of Vanuatu, with one death reported to date.

NZRC Director General, Flora Gilkison, said experienced relief worker, Peter Scott, from Marlborough, would fly to Vanuatu on Thursday to manage the relief distributions to affected people.

In Vanuatu, he will join New Zealander, David Neal, who is Acting Director General for the Vanuatu Red Cross, who is co-ordinating the overall relief effort.

“Vanuatu has only limited resources available to cope with the impact of Cyclone Ivy. As a good neighbour, we are committed to doing all we can to help.”

She said the Red Cross relief programme had been boosted by a donation of $70,000 from the New Zealand Government for 3,000 family kits containing tarpaulins, water tablets, water containers, kitchen utensils and hygiene items. New Zealand Red Cross has also donated $10,000 for the purchase of relief items locally.

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