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

Red Cross

THE RED CROSS DONATES BOATS IN TORBA

Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount=…

Signature of MoU in Mataka (Gaua Island, Banks Islands, Torba Province) with representatives of Health Center and the Red Cross

The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), supported by the French Red Cross (FRC), donated two boats to health centers and one to Torba Province in 2015/2016.

In December last year, the Red Cross (RC) donated two boats along with equipment to Loh (Torres Islands) and to Mataka (Gaua Island, Banks Islands) Health Centers. In February this year, a third boat was donated to Torba Province in Sola (Vanualava, Banks Islands). “The RC activities in Torba tend to decrease with only one project left at the end of December this year. However, we want these boats to continue benefitting the extremely remote populations of Torres and Banks Islands, most of them we have been working with for 6 years. This is the reason why we donated them to these actors.” - explains Julien Lamberti, former RC Head of Project for the Disaster Risk Reduction project “Together Becoming Resilient” currently being implemented in the region.

Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true" DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount=…

Boat Donation to Loh Health Centre (Torres Islands, Torba Province) with representatives of the Health Center and of the Red Cross

In order to formalize the donations, tripartite Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between beneficiary Health Centers (Torba Province for the third boat), the Health Department of Torba Province and the VRCS. From the signature of the agreements onwards, the Health Centers and Torba Province have been authorized to use the boats as they will. Nonetheless and until the end of the RC project, the boats will remain available to the Red Cross and its staff if when needed. “The 3 boats will be used to take care of approximately 3,000 people, in areas where it can take up to two days of walk to reach the communities. The two firsts will give the inhabitants access to minimum health care, and the third one will be available for assessments and distributions in case of disaster. The Province has always been a major Red Cross partner for disaster risk reduction.” - Julien concludes.

VRCS FRC.jpg

Engaging cyclone-affected communities to improve hygiene behaviors

Engaging cyclone-affected communities to improve hygiene behaviors

A series of PHAST workshops are being facilitated by Red Cross to encourage improved hygiene behaviours, prevent diarrheal and other waterborne diseases and ultimately improve community management of water and sanitation facilities in cyclone-affected communities.

Red Cross celebrates World Water Day 2016

Red Cross celebrates World Water Day 2016

o celebrate and commemorate World Water Day this year, Vanuatu Red Cross with the support of the IFRC, Australian Red Cross and French Red Cross organised an activity with Vila North Primary School children from five different classes. This year’s theme was “Water and Jobs”.

A short film celebrating the role of women in the recovery

A short film celebrating the role of women in the recovery

To mark the one-year anniversary of Cyclone Pam and International Women’s Day, Vanuatu Red Cross hosted a short film screening at Vanuatu Cultural Centre. The film, ‘Haos I Foldaon, Woman I Stanap’, aims to recognise and celebrate the role that women have played in helping their communities recover from Cyclone Pam.

 Working in collaboration with Further Arts, a team of women from Vanuatu Red Cross together captured the stories of nine everyday women - drawn from a cross-section of areas and industries - to provide a diverse perspective of the recovery process and the roles that women have played.

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.

Red Cross continues to help communities rebuild

Red Cross continues to help communities rebuild

A year ago on March 13th, Cyclone Pam tore through the Pacific Island Nation of Vanuatu. The Category Five storm left immense damage in its wake affecting more than 200,000 people across five countries. Although Vanuatu bore the brunt of the disaster, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea were also severely impacted.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a major international response, working closely with National Red Cross Societies across the affected region. Within the first six months of its relief and operation across the five countries, 44,000 people had been reached with humanitarian assistance.

Cyclone Pam: A Volunteer's Perspective

Cyclone Pam: A Volunteer's Perspective

Nelly Iaukelo, 33, and her husband Gaetan have been volunteering with Vanuatu Red Cross for over 3 years. “I like the Red Cross because they help people in the community and I’m interested in their work. I enjoy going out to communities I haven’t been before,” she said.

When Cyclone Pam came, Nelly’s home in the town of Lenakel (West Tanna) collapsed. “I saw my house had fallen down and I felt very sad. I cried with my children because we were very sorry for our house.”

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."

Latest Update: Tropical Cyclone Ula

LATEST UPDATE: TROPICAL CYCLONE ULA

At 8:00pm local time, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (941 hPa) Category 4 was located at 20.8 degrees South 170.5 degrees East, about 95 KM southeast of Aneityum and 190 KM southeast of Tanna. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula has moved in a southwest direction at 14 KM/HR in the past 3 hours.

Winds close to the center are estimated at 175 km/hr and continue to intensify. Expected position of the system in the next 6 hours will be near 22.6 degrees South 170.0 degrees East.

Damaging Strong to Gale force winds of 65 to 75 km/hr will continue to affect Anietyum, Futuna and south of Tanna tonight and slowlt decreasing as Tropical Cyclone Ula slowly moves southwards.

Heavy rain and possible flooding in low lying areas and areas close to the river banks including coastal flooding are expected. Very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells are also expected.

If they haven't already, Vanuatu Red Cross is urging people in TAFEA Province to move to safe shelter immediately, ensuring they take with them an emergency kit/supplies and that any elderly or disabled neighbours and/or family are accounted for. They should also listen for updated via radio broadcasts where possible.

Vanuatu Red Cross staff and volunteers are on standby with relief supplies in place should they be required.

Track Cyclone Ula's progress at Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department

(Updated 9pm, January 10th)