Helping communities recover and rebuild in Vanuatu
Cyclone Pam was the worst natural disaster to hit Vanuatu in decades. It left the island nation devastated, destroying over 90 per cent of the crops the population relies on for food.
Together with other members of the ACT Alliance around the world, you have given over $1 million to the Vanuatu emergency appeal.
Julia Loersch / Act for Peace
Your generosity provided immediate, life-saving relief in the days following the cyclone and now, four months on, it is helping with the long process of recovery; rebuilding livelihoods and ensuring communities are better prepared for future natural disasters.
How you’re helping in Vanuatu
Emergency provisions: In the first two weeks following the disaster, you provided emergency food and water to 14 communities in Tongoa, as well as fresh water and purification tablets to people on Mataso island. 680 tarpaulins, donated by Cotton Growers Australia, were distributed to the worst hit islands. Clothing from ‘Give Vanuatu’ was issued to women’s and youth groups to distribute to their communities.
Access to safe water: To help prevent the spread of disease and provide vital access to safe drinking water, 2,000 personal hygiene kits were given out and 25 communities received water purification kits called LifeStraws.
Long-term food supply: Seeds were distributed across 14 islands immediately after the disaster; and a further 46kg of seeds were given out in May. Nurseries have been set up on many islands and communities have been provided with gardening tools and training to help re-plant their farms. Community water systems were repaired in Tanna and new water harvesting tools and tanks purchased.
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