Food Shortages Loom in Tuvalu

Oxfam speaks to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu as food shortages loom in Vanuatu and Tuvalu

Aid is beginning to reach the hard hit southern Vanuatu islands of Tanna and Erromango, which both took the full force of the 250kmh Cyclone Pam, after rapid assessments of the islands showed absolute devastation with entire villages destroyed. The rapid assessments of Vanuatu’s outer islands reported that many villages on the islands had 80 to 100 per cent of buildings damaged or destroyed.

While the death toll was yesterday revised down to 11 by the UN there are real concerns about the potential for disease because of the need for clean water and sanitation equipment and a real concern about the increasing lack of food.

In addition to Vanuatu, other Pacific nations have also been severely affected by Cyclone Pam. Including Tuvalu, where despite the capital Funafuti escaping the worst of the damage, 45% of the population has been displaced and the majority of outer islands are badly damaged.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier spoke directly to the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Mr Enele Sopoaga. “It was valuable to speak directly to Mr Sopoaga, we are grateful for the time he could give us and to get a much clearer picture of the situation in Tuvalu” Ms Le Mesurier said.

“Mr Sopoaga confirmed to me that there is severe damage across Tuvalu, they have grave concerns about the outer islands accessing shelter as many houses were simply washed away by storm surges created by Cyclone Pam”.

“In addition, consumables will be gone within a couple of weeks in the less affected main island Funafati, making the distribution to the outer islands of food and water security a major concern” she said.

The Tuvalu Government through their National Disaster Coordination Committee are leading and managing the response, and aim to manage as much as they can within their own resources.

Mr Sopoaga pragmatically said to Ms Le Mesurier “ Tuvalu wants to, and needs to increase its ability to face these climate based disasters, as increasingly they will be the normal things to happen”

Mr Sopoaga noted that the first focus should be Vanuatu however he also acknowledged that they would need additional support in Tuvalu and any donations received from the New Zealand public would be very gratefully received.

Ms Le Mesurier confirmed that Oxfam has pledged full support to the government’s own responses to the recovery work taking place in Vanuatu, Tuvalu and Kiribati. Oxfam New Zealand has launched a full scale appeal to help the many thousands of people affected by the devastating cyclone. “Oxfam is committed to helping Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati and other affected nations for as long as it takes,” said Ms Le Mesurier said.

You can support Oxfam's response by donating to our Cyclone Pam Appeal at www.oxfam.org.nz/donate/pam or by calling 0800 600 700

ENDS

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