Cyclone Pam hits Vanuatu

Cyclone Pam hits Vanuatu

Late last night and into the early hours of this morning, Cyclone Pam made herself known in Vanuatu’s capital and beyond. With wind speeds of up to 270 kilometres per hour, Pam unleashed her fury on Port Vila.

World Vision staff endured an evening of terrifying winds and uncertainty as to the impact of the cyclone.

“Over the past 5 hours we've had huge winds. Cyclone shutters rattling, things flying into the roof. I'm yet to decide if you can't see what's going on outside is a blessing or curse. Phone lines are up but it is still too dangerous to go outside,” said Chloe Morrison, World Vision Vanuatu’s communications officer.

World Vision staff in the capital bunkered down in concrete buildings waiting for the storm to pass.

“Between 12-1 it sounded like it was trying to pick the house off the ground but cyclone shutters are still banging against the house, rain is still pelting,” Ms Morrison reported just before dawn.

As soon as it's safe, the organisation’s emergency assessment teams will head out to assess the damage, and to check on World Vision staff and communities across the country. While the impact and needs of communities won’t be known until Cyclone Pam has passed, it is anticipated that immediate needs will be access to clean water, food and shelter.

World Vision has projects in five provinces throughout Vanuatu and alerted community members throughout the week about the impending cyclone. Many community members had already formed into disaster management committees, so people were aware of the cyclone, and tried to strengthen their shelters and also know where the nearest evacuation centres are.

World Vision staff have been helping prepare communities on the islands for the cyclone by prepositioning water, food, blankets, tarpaulins, and shelter, hygiene and kitchen kits in key places, as well as advising on disaster preparedness.

People started to head to evacuation centres around the country yesterday afternoon. Most schools and churches will serve as evacuation centres.

World Vision New Zealand has provided some initial funds for the relief effort and is accepting donations via its Asia Pacific Emergency Fund.

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