Vanuatu

Food lifeline to Cyclone Pam survivors

Tropical Cyclone Pam wiped out homes, destroyed crops and flattened islands in its path. This Category 5 cyclone was the strongest in Vanuatu’s recorded history and now over half of the population is estimated to need immediate humanitarian assistance.

Extensive damage to crops and livelihoods has left families reliant on subsistence farming and in urgent need of food assistance that meets their daily nutrition intake and gives them the energy source needed to rebuild their homes and lives over the next several weeks.

Jenny lives in Tanna island, one of Vanuatu’s largest islands and one of the hardest hit by the cyclone.

WFP RESPONSE

WFP is supporting the government-led response to more than 160,000 people who are in urgent need of lifesaving supplies of food, clean water and shelter. WFP is supplementing food packages with rice and high-energy biscuits. These biscuits have been fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, and do not need to be cooked. They are being distributed in areas with limited clean water.

By boat, plane or helicopter, high-energy biscuits have been sent to families who need them most.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORT

WFP and the international community are working closely to support the government of Vanuatu’s response efforts with stand-by equipment such as generators to help with the relief efforts in key areas such as logistics and communications.

France, Australia and New Zealand are helping the international community transport food and other vital supplies to remote communities in the cyclone-affected islands.

Australia generously airlifted 39 metric tonnes of these biscuits to Port Vila, and continues to help transport them around the affected islands.

WFP’s emergency equipment was flown from the UN Humanitarian Response Depots in Dubai and Malaysia on board planes generously provided by the United Arab Emirates.

WFP’s Emergency Coordinator meets Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Honourable Joe Natuman at the launch of the UN’s Flash Appeal seeking almost US$30 million for lifesaving assistance over the next three months.

The government’s food packages include a two-week supply of rice, canned meat and fish, and noodles. Going forward, WFP plans to assist the most vulnerable until they can provide for themselves again.

Food packages have reached all 22 cyclone-affected islands, and distributions are ongoing.

Photograph Copyrights: WFP/Victoria Cavanagh