Local residents sit near debris on a road outside a hospital after Cyclone Pam hit Port Vila, the capital city of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu March 15, 2015. REUTERS/Kris Paras
AUSTRALIA – Australian military aircraft were loaded with emergency aid for Vanuatu after the first reports from the outer islands painted a picture of utter destruction after a monster cyclone tore through the Pacific island nation.
Authorities were struggling to establish contact with the islands that bore the brunt of cyclone Pam’s winds of more than 300 kph, which flattened buildings, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday and into Saturday.
Aid officials said the storm was comparable in strength to Typhoon Haiyan, and looked set to be one of the worst natural disasters the Pacific region has experienced.
The government’s official toll is 8 dead and 20 injured but that looks certain to rise, given the extent of the damage, media have reported.
The southern island of Tanna, about 200 km south of the capital, Port Vila, with its 29,000 inhabitants took the full force of the category 5 storm.
A cleanup was under way in Port Vila, where seas were reported to have surged as high as 8 meters with as much as three-quarters of the capital’s houses reported destroyed or severely damaged.
Military flights from New Zealand and Australia were bringing in water, sanitation kits, medicines and temporary shelters for the estimated 10,000 made homeless on the main island.
“Five million dollars is funding for the NGO’s, Red Cross and United Nations partners. In addition to that, we’ve sent three military aircraft, a Hercules, two C-17’s filled with medical supplies, life saving supplies like, water, sanitation, shelter, we’ve also sent personnel. Two more planes will leave today, so we have made a
substantial start but of course, it’s early days so we’re having to assess the damage. Working very closely with the government of Vanuatu in responding to their needs and their requirements. So, this will be an ongoing effort over a number of days, weeks, months ahead,” said Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Commercial flights were also due to resume to bring in more aid and take out tourists.
Pam was losing its intensity as it passed by the east coast of New Zealand’s north island, where it was bringing strong winds, rain, and big seas but so far little damage. (Kristine Domingo / UNTV News)