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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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)
At 5:00pm local time, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (941 hPa) Category 4 was located at 20.4 degrees South 170.7 degrees East, about 95km east southeast of Aneityum and 180 KM east southeast of Tanna. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula has moved in a southwest direction at 13 KM/HR in the past 3 hours. Winds close to the center are estimated at 165 km/hr and continue to intensify. Expected position of the system in the next 6 hours will be near 21.4 degrees South 170.2 degrees East. Damaging Gale force winds of 65 to 75 km/hr will continue to affect TAFEA province today.
Forecast Positions Date and Time Position Intensity +06 hours (11pm, 10 Jan)20.8S, 170.4E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +12 hours (5am, 11 Jan) 21.4S, 170.2E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +18 hours (11am, 11 Jan)22.0S, 170.1E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +24 hours (5pm, 11 Jan) 22.7S, 170.2E80 KTS (150 KM/HR) +36 hours (5am, 12 Jan) 24.1S, 170.6E60 KTS (110 KM/HR) +48 hours (5pm, 12 Jan) 25.5S, 171.4E40 KTS (75 KM/HR)
Heavy rain and possible flooding in low lying areas and areas close to the river banks including coastal flooding are expected over TAFEA province. Very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells are also expected.
The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) advises that RED Alert is still in effect for TAFEA province. 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.
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Tropikol Saeklon Woning Namba 10 lo Sevea Tropikol Saeklon Ula we i kamaot lo Vanuatu Meteorology mo Geo-Hazards Department, Port Vila lo 6:04pm VUT Sunday 10 January 2016. Lo 5:00pm lokal taem, Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula (941 hPa) Category 4 hemi stap lo 20.4 degrees South 170.7 degrees East. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula oli loketem kolosao lo senta rait blo skwea leta J, namba 10 (J,10) insaed lo Vanuatu Tropikol saeklon Traking Map. Hemia, hemi stap 95 KM east southeast blo Aneityum mo 180 KM east southeast blo Tanna. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ula i bin muv lo southwest dareksen lo wan spid blo 13 KM/HR lo las 3 aoa we i pas. Presa lo medel blo saeklon ia hemi kolosap lo 941 hPa. Pawa blo win kolosap lo senta hemi 165 KM/HR. Sevea Tropikol saeklon Ula bai i muv i go lo 21.4 degrees South 170.2 degrees East lo nekis 06 kasem 12 aoa. Ol win we pawa blo ol i save kasem 65 igo kasem 75KM/HR oli expekted blo stap afektem TAFEA province.
Fokas Posisen Dei mo taem PosisenPawa +06 hours (11pm, 10 Jan)20.8S, 170.4E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +12 hours (5am, 11 Jan) 21.4S, 170.2E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +18 hours (11am, 11 Jan)22.0S, 170.1E90 KTS (165 KM/HR) +24 hours (5pm, 11 Jan) 22.7S, 170.2E80 KTS (150 KM/HR) +36 hours (5am, 12 Jan) 24.1S, 170.6E60 KTS (110 KM/HR) +48 hours (5pm, 12 Jan) 25.5S, 171.4E40 KTS (75 KM/HR)
Ol win we i save spolem mo brekem ol samting mo solwora we i raf tumas wetem ol bigfala swel i expekted blo afektem TAFEA province. Bai hevi ren tu hemi save foldaon wetem posibiliti blo flat wota i save kam antap bigwan mo ron strong
A red alert has been issued by the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department for TAFEA Province as Category 4 Tropical Cyclone Ula moves close to Vanuatu's southern islands. Winds close to the centre are estimated at 165 kmph.
Damaging gale force winds and heavy rainfall with possible flooding over low lying areas and areas close to the river banks are expected to affect TAFEA Province, particularly Futuna, Aneityum and possibly Tanna islands. Very rough to phenomenal seas with heavy swells are also expected.
Red Cross is urging people in TAFEA Province to move to higher ground and 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. Listen for radio updates where possible.
Red Cross is on standby with relief supplies in place should they be required.
(Updated 3:21pm Sunday 10th January)
