Cyclone Pam: 'It's like a giant has come through'

NZ Herald

16 Mar, 2015 03:24 AM5 mins to read

RNZAF personnel load the C-130 Hercules bound for Vanuatu at RNZAF Base with the second consignment of aid for the sticken country in the wake of Cyclone Pam. Photo / supplied

Many are still unable to make contact with loved ones as communications with the outer islands of Vanuatu remain down in the wake of devastating Cyclone Pam.

Agencies said they were unable to comment further on the death toll until more assessments and been made and communications established.

New Zealander Kylie Steel, who is in the capital Port Vila to help facilitate Vanuatu's first Dental Health Conference, said some houses had withstood the brunt of the storm while others had come down.

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY THE STORM? SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEO HERE

"It's like a big giant has come through with a machete and chopped every tree down and anything that was in its path -- the whole island.

"The little houses they are in, the concrete houses, most of them still existed, some have been flattened by trees -- there is a real mix."

She said most people were "exhausted" from the last few days.

"The day before they went out and cut down the leaves off all ... their banana trees, so they'll start growing back right away and providing food ... they [cut] down trees close to their home so that it wouldn't fall on their houses.

"It was a day of preparation and then everyone was awake that night."

Chloe Morrison, a World Vision emergency communications officer in Port Vila, said the main priority was to make contact with staff on the outer islands of Vanuatu and provide aid to those in need.

"Getting in contact with our staff is still our number one priority and that's obviously been a big concern for us, so we are working really closely with other agencies to try and get off the ground."

She said preparations were currently being made to offer help to those on the outer islands.

"We are working on this as an immediate priority and really working to get there absolutely as soon as possible."

This morning, Prime Minister John Key told Newstalk ZB as it was "very early days", it was difficult to know the extent of the damage caused by Cyclone Pam.

"I spoke to the Prime Minister of Vanuatu last night. He is going to give us the best assessment he can as he can get more information available."

Mr Key said a New Zealand Defence Force C-130 Hercules was sent with supplies yesterday, and two more would be sent today.

The New Zealand Red Cross has also sent more supplies today, including 1200 tarpaulins, 900 water containers and 250 shelter kits on board.

Red Cross spokesman Andrew McKie said they still had no "definitive answers" as communication was down with the outer islands.

"All the information coming through is coming through from around Efate. Communications with the outer islands is still non-existent."

Red Cross volunteers had flown over southern islands in a light plane to assess damage, which was described as "devastating", Mr McKie said. The plane was unable to land.

He said volunteer staff would begin to make their way to the outer islands in the next few days.

"They're looking at moving some fairly large logistical type units in so they can break up loads with forklifts to offer support once they do get access to other islands."

Red Cross had hundreds of volunteers in Vanuatu, who would also be joined by a small team of four or five, who would head over from New Zealand in the next week or so.

Meanwhile, four Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) volunteers were unaccounted for today.

In a statement on their website, VSA said 19 volunteers in Port Vila and Santo were confirmed safe, however, four volunteers on the islands of Pentecost, Malekula and Tanna were yet to make contact.

Communications were still down on these islands, a VSA spokesman said.

"All volunteers were in secure accommodation with extra supplies before the cyclone hit and we were in constant communication." He was unable to confirm whether the four people missing were Kiwis, out of respect for the families involved.

The Digicel Network said cell site restoration in Vanuatu was well underway, and connection in Port Vila was almost fully restored.

Teams would soon move to connect the rest of Efate, Tanna, Santo and the other islands.

All calls and text messages made to Vanuatu mobile phones since midnight Thursday on the 2degrees network will be credited, the telecommunications company said today.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu at this difficult time," the company said in a statement this afternoon.

"It's important family and friends living in New Zealand are able to stay in touch with loved ones in Vanuatu at this time."

2degrees pledged to reimburse the cost of all mobile voice and SMS messages made to mobiles from the start of Friday to midnight tonight.

The company urged customers to text rather than calling, so as not to overload Vanuatu's mobile phone networks.

"In previous natural disasters our Pacific Island partner networks have found their networks can be heavily loaded and the priority at this time needs to be on emergency calling and disaster relief efforts," 2degrees said.

A second Air Force Hercules flight carrying aid for Vanuatu was expected to land in Port Vila by 3pm.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force said the plane left Auckland carrying four pallets of supplies, including generators, portable shelters, chainsaws, tarpaulins, collapsible jerrycans and toolkits.

Red Cross staff, Government personnel were among those on the flight, the first of two scheduled for today.