UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)

Media Release

12 March 2015

UNICEF on standby in Vanuatu as Cyclone Pam closes in

UNICEF is on standby and ready to respond with emergency supplies and personnel as Tropical Cyclone Pam inches closer to Vanuatu where approximately 260,000 people could be in the disaster zone.

The severe tropical cyclone was upgraded to a category four storm this morning (NZT) and is projected to become a category five super cyclone within the next 48 hours.

UNICEF Pacific Communications Specialist Alice Clements, who is a New Zealander, arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu yesterday, where she reported the progress of the storm that has tracked a path across the Pacific Ocean.

“Details of the situation are constantly changing, but current projections are for the storm to make landfall in Vanuatu overnight. The storm is likely to intensify during the day and peak tomorrow night where we expect it will have a strong impact on Vanuatu, including the capital of Port Vila.

“Communities and children are always worst affected by these types of disasters. UNICEF is working with local government to make preparations at the institutional and community level and ensure children’s needs are met.”

Ms Clements went on to say that UNICEF has pre-positioned supplies at warehouses in Vanuatu and Fiji – mainly in the areas of WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), health and education – ready to be deployed as needed.

Ms Clements also pointed to government-appointed shelters in Vanuatu for people who are living in low-income housing areas particularly vulnerable to the strong storm surges.

UNICEF NZ Programmes Manager Hamish Lindsay said the agency was continuing to liaise closely with the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office and other agencies in the country to gain updates.

He added, “UNICEF is a member of the Pacific Humanitarian Team and will be on standby to provide emergency supplies and additional personnel.

“If called on to assist, UNICEF will actively support the Vanuatu Government in leading clusters of agencies working in water and sanitation, education and nutrition, and in child protection.

“Our thoughts remain with all those currently in Vanuatu and the surrounding area and we will continue to keep in close contact with our Pacific colleagues so we can form part of the coordinated emergency response in the coming days,” Mr Lindsay concluded.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

For video updates from Alice Clements in Vanuatu visit our website: www.unicef.org.nz/Vanuatu

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