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VANUATU'S FIRST DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CAMP
VANUATU'S FIRST DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CAMP
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ACCESS TO WATER IN AKHAMB COMMUNITY, MALEKULA: ...
ACCESS TO WATER IN AKHAMB COMMUNITY, MALEKULA: WORK IN PROGRESS
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VANUATU RED CROSS DENGUE FEVER SMS MESSAGE ...
VANUATU RED CROSS DENGUE FEVER SMS MESSAGE OUTBREAK
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DRR IN 10 COMMUNITY IN SANTO
DRR IN 10 COMMUNITY IN SANTO
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VACANCY NOTICE
VACANCY NOTICE

El Nino

Helping Communities Recover

Helping Communities Recover

On March 13th, 2015, approximately 66,000 people across Vanuatu, were left homeless when Cyclone Pam, a category 5 tropical storm, tore through the country.

When the cyclone struck, Luis Lomai was in her family home in Lamanian village in West Tanna, together with her husband, seven children and two grandchildren. They were soon forced to move elsewhere after the walls and roof of the house collapsed around them. Together the family dodged flying debris as they sought refuge in neighboring homes. They were forced to continue their flight three times after the winds tore apart each place where they sheltered.

Miraculously the family escaped the cyclone unscathed, but Luis and her family were left feeling defeated after seeing the damage the cyclone had caused to their home and garden.

44,000 people reached since Cyclone Pam

44,000 people reached since Cyclone Pam

One year ago Cyclone Pam tore through the South Pacific affecting 200,000 people and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Vanuatu bore the brunt of the disaster but Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea were also badly affected. In the last twelve months, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) working with National Red Cross Societies in the region, has reached more than 44,000 people across all five affected countries with direct humanitarian assistance.

Water Access Brings Relief to Vanuatu's Most Vulnerable

Water Access Brings Relief to Vanuatu's Most Vulnerable

When Cyclone Pam made landfall in Sasake Village on Emae Island in Vanuatu last March, Karie Manaruru knew that his house probably wouldn’t withstand the storm.

“My house was not in good condition so I went down to the doctor’s house to be safe. When I saw that my house was destroyed I felt terrible”, explains the 61 year-old.

Having lost a leg in an industrial accident in his youth, Karie Manaruru felt the task of rebuilding his home was nearly impossible.  “Living with one leg is not easy. When Cyclone Pam hit us here, it was very hard."

Vital Relief Supplies allocated ahead of Cyclone Season

Vital Relief Supplies allocated ahead of Cyclone Season

Vanuatu Red Cross is sending locally sourced and life-saving relief supplies to islands across Vanuatu to help communities best prepare for the cyclone season. 

Relief goods such as containers to collect clean water, pots and pans for cooking and tarpaulins for shelter are being positioned in key communities across all six provinces of the country. “The relief supplies will enable the most vulnerable people to get the support they need as quickly as possible when disaster strikes,” said Vanuatu Red Cross CEO, Jacqueline De Gaillande.

VRCS assists cyclone-affected communities to deal with El Niño

VRCS assists cyclone-affected communities to deal with El Niño

Vanuatu Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department co-hosted a four-day climate workshop from November 11th-13th in Isangel (Tanna) aimed at increasing community awareness and understanding about the current El Niño weather event.

Many communities on Tanna Island face serious food and water shortages as a result of the current El Niño-related drought and lasting damage from Tropical Cyclone Pam.  The current El Niño event is one of the strongest global weather patterns on record and has resulted in drier-than-average conditions not only in Tanna, but Vanuatu-wide. Many of these drought-affected communities are still recovering after being severely impacted by Tropical Cyclone Pam.

VRCS Bollywood Ball

VRCS Bollywood Ball

Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s annual gala night took place on Saturday 31st October at Warwick Le Lagon Resort in Port Vila. Proceeds raised from the ‘Bollywood’ themed fundraiser will go towards Red Cross’s El Nino response, in particular towards the purchase of two portable desalination units, which will help affected communities across Vanuatu to access potable drinking water.