Super Cyclone Pam intensifies as Vanuatu braces for impact

UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)

Media Release

13 March 2015

UNICEF: Super Cyclone Pam intensifies as Vanuatu braces for impact

Super Cyclone Pam has been upgraded to a category five storm – the most severe category – and is already making its presence felt in Vanuatu.

As predicted, weather conditions began to worsen in the early of hours of Friday morning with accounts of heavy rain and damaging winds reported.

UNICEF Pacific Communications Specialist Alice Clements, who is a New Zealander, added from her base in Port Vila, “The weather is getting wilder by the minute and the capital, like much of the rest of the country, remains in a state of lockdown.

"The town centre is deserted, everything's boarded up - from yesterday lunchtime onwards everyone has pretty much gone home to prepare and get themselves as ready as they can.

“One of our biggest concerns at the moment is for those in the remote and isolated communities of Vanuatu’s 83 islands who are more likely to have homes with weaker structures. They will be the ones most impacted should the full impact of this storm materialise as predicted.”

According to Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, red alerts are in place for several parts of the Vanuatu archipelago that are already facing an imminent threat of storm damage, these includeTorba and Penama. A yellow alert is in place for Sanma, Malampa, Shefa and Taefa.

UNICEF NZ Programmes Manager Hamish Lindsay added, “During and in the aftermath of an emergency such as this, UNICEF’s priority is to ensure those that are most vulnerable, including children and pregnant women, are safe and protected.

“Within the Pacific Region, UNICEF actively co-leads clusters of agencies working in water and sanitation, education and nutrition, and in child protection.

“UNICEF will continue to work closely with government agencies and partners in Vanuatu in order to ensure a coordinated response to the storm as it unfolds.”

Further weather reports predict that this slow burning storm will continue to escalate with the worst effects due to hit on Friday night.

Ms Clements reiterated, “UNICEF will continue to both prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

For video updates from UNICEF Pacific’s Alice Clements in Vanuatu, visit our website:www.unicef.org.nz/Vanuatu

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