Press Release – Rotary New Zealand World Community Service
It is now almost 4 weeks since Cyclone Pam tore through some of the 83 islands of Vanuatu killing eleven people. There has been a flurry of activity by relief agencies including Rotary to delivery aid to the 22 islands most affected. 1,000 Rotary Emergency …CYCLONE PAM – VANUATU – Bulletin No. 4
It is now almost 4 weeks since Cyclone Pam tore through some of the 83 islands of Vanuatu killing eleven people. There has been a flurry of activity by relief agencies including Rotary to delivery aid to the 22 islands most affected. 1,000 Rotary Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) have been distributed. The people who fled to evacuation centres were told to return home 2 weeks after the cyclone. Around 75,000 of the country’s 225,000 people have been affected to some extent and 96 per cent of food crops are destroyed. The people of Vanuatu are resourceful. Most houses are constructed with traditional materials such as bamboo, local timber and pandanus for the roof. These materials can usually be sourced from a family’s garden for easy reconstruction. The traditional communal houses, nakamals, are designed to withstand the pressure of a cyclone and generally suffer little if any damage. As agencies turn to the reconstruction phase, attention will be on the needs of individuals. Most rely on their gardens and the sea to feed their families. Provision of seeds, plants, tools and shade houses is a priority and for communities the damaged infrastructure at schools, health centres etc..
The reconstruction will take many months if not a year or more. Rotary New Zealand (RNZWCS) is conscious of the limited capacity in Vanuatu and will work in consultation with DG 9910with partners including Rotary Australia (RAWCS) and others within Vanuatu to ensure best practise and outcomes is paramount in its response. Rotary New Zealand is working with Pacific Pathways, a Christchurch based registered trust who has established links with Rotary Vanuatu. Large quantities of medical supplies specifically requested is a priority and will be shipped out of Christchurch. Rotary New Zealand thanks the public, Rotarians and clubs who have responded with donations and with offers of assistance. Replenishing the supply of ERKs (dependent on the level of donations) will be done in the coming months in readiness for the next cyclone season. Those who are still considering their response are reminded of the four donation options which are:
At any Westpac Branch or by Internet Banking
Quoting 03 1702 0192208 01 Ref. 888 or for ERKs specifically 308
Paypal at – www.rnzwcs.org
Give a Little at – https://givealittle.co.nz/org/rnzwcs/share
ENDS
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