UNICEF’s humanitarian appeal increases after full devastation of Cyclone Pam revealed

Donate: www.unicef.org.nz/vanuatu

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UNICEF has revised its international Cyclone Pam humanitarian appeal, announcing on Tuesday that NZD$6.3m (USD$4.8m) is now required to meet the immediate needs of children in the Pacific. This includes around 82,000 children – about two thirds of the children – in Vanuatu.

UNICEF also raised concerns that the appeal is critically underfunded.

UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director, Vivien Maidaborn, said, “We have seen a heartening outpouring of Kiwi generosity since Cyclone Pam ripped through the Pacific region last week, causing utter devastation to so many communities.

“Our supporters have dug deep for the people of Vanuatu and have so far raised NZD$780,500. This incredible amount will be matched dollar for dollar by UNICEF NZ ambassadors Gareth and Jo Morgan bringing the total to NZD$1.56m raised so far.

“This really is an astounding achievement and we sincerely thank every single individual, school and business as well as Campbell Live, Trade Me, the International Cricket Council, Maori Television and Gareth and Jo Morgan, for all the support and donations contributed so far.

“Our Pacific neighbours have suffered so much already and we know that children continue to be at risk of waterborne diseases and measles as well as missing out on school. We are asking all New Zealanders to join us in a further fundraising drive so that we can help to ease the suffering of so many children and families in Vanuatu.”

In the days that followed the peak of the extreme storm, UNICEF worked closely with the governments of several Pacific countries to assess the damage caused and the immediate needs for thousands of children.

UNICEF is concentrating on ensuring that children and their families in Vanuatu – as well as in affected communities in Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Kiribati – have access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

UNICEF is also focused on delivering health services including immunisation, treatment of diarrhoea, care of new-borns, safe infant feeding and supplying nutrient supplements. We are also protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse.

UNICEF Pacific Representative Karen Allen said of the current need in Vanuatu, “Children – especially those in the hardest-to-reach islands – are in serious danger right now.

“Access to safe water remains absolutely critical – with almost all islands in Vanuatu suffering from acute water shortages – while there is a significant risk of disease because of flooding, poor sanitation and limited medical care.

“Life-saving supplies are getting through, however, we urgently require more funds to reach more children in desperate need especially on remote islands.”

The aid response to Cyclone Pam involves huge logistical challenges. Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu are made up of numerous islands with high costs involved in procuring and delivering vital supplies.

Despite extreme logistical challenges, urgently needed supplies are continuing to arrive in Vanuatu with some coming in through Auckland from UNICEF’s supply warehouse in Copenhagen.

This week, the New Zealand Air Force airlifted 252 cartons of UNICEF supplies to Port Villa including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies and medical supplies.

Ms Maidaborn added, “The geographic make up of countries such as Vanuatu, means that UNICEF is essentially responding to dozens of individual emergencies that all warrant increased personnel and supplies.

“For this to become a reality, we need to ensure that funds continue to be raised to meet the needs of thousands of children. Please donate what you can at www.unicef.org.nz/vanuatu and share this latest Cyclone Pam update with family, friends and colleagues. Our Pacific neighbours need us and we can’t let them down.”

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