Worst in Pacific History, Cyclone Pam Batters Vanuatu
Pacific's Vanuatu archipelago has been battered by a powerful typhoon resulting in widespread destruction. The overnight storm knocked out telephone lines in the isolated Pacific island nation with the capital being littered with uprooted trees, power lines and debris from homes.
Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu with winds moving at 210 mph putting thousands of lives at risk. The extent of damage is yet to be ascertained and according to regional head of UN office for Coordination and Humanitarian Affairs, Sune Gudnitz said, "We fear the worst."
He added, "Vanuatu is a very vulnerable place because of its location in the middle of the ocean," Gudnitz said. "It is possible that there will be a death toll that could be high. I can't give any numbers. I think it is a well-grounded fear."
The UN is currently deploying emergency response teams to provide assistance to the people on Sunday.
Vanuatu is located 1250 miles northeast of Australian city Brisbane and is made up of 83 islands with a total population of 260,000 people. The category 5 cyclone hit the capital Port Vila on Friday with many witnesses describing the seas to reaching a towering height of 26 feet.
UNICEF New Zealand Executive Director Viven Maidaborn said, "While it is too early to say for certain, early reports are indicating that this weather disaster could potentially be one of the worst in Pacific history."
"The sheer force of the storm combined with communities just not set up to withstand it, could have devastating results for thousands across the region."
President of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale spoke to the audience while attending a world conference on disaster risk and reduction in Japan. He said, "I do not really know what impact the cyclone has had on Vanuatu. I am speaking to you today with a heart that is so heavy. I stand to appeal on behalf of the government and the people to give a helping hand in this disaster."
