Vanuatu urges for global action against natural disasters
President of Vanuatu calls upon UN assistance after tropic cyclone hits Pacific Nation Island
Governments meet in Japan to discuss the adoption of the new global plan to reduce the risk of disasters such as the most recent cyclone in the Pacific island of Vanuatu.
The more than 300 kph (185 mph) storm devastated the state of Vanutu.
The northeast of the Australian city of Brisbane is among the world’s poorest and more vulnerable countries to natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, storms and rising sea levels.
According to President Baldwin Lonsdale “The reality of what is happening now is in Vanuatu. We don’t have to depend on the theory. We have to be very practical on what is happening, not only in Vanuatu but around the world”.
The Director of Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office, Shadrack Rubart Welegtabit said his country had not experienced a category 5 storm like Cyclone Pam before.
The President said he feared the impact of the tropical cyclone would have severely damaging effects on the outer, isolated islands.
However the damage is still being assessed, with the hope that the number of casualties would be “minor”.
As stated by Welegtabit communications are completely down outside of the capital and could take weeks to restore.
The Government Ministers in Vanuatu declared a state of emergency for international help appealing for the United Nations to also assist.
The Red Cross has collaborated with the Vanuatu Government to set up a disaster management structure as well as training local civilians to secure their homes and stock up on food and water.
