UK pledges £2m as Cyclone Pam causes devastation on Vanuatu

The UK is giving up to £2m in aid to help the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu where a devastating tropical cyclone is feared to have flattened entire communities. Cyclone Pam is thought to have caused widespread destruction across the 65 inhabited Vanuatu islands, killing at least eight people, aid officials have said. Unconfirmed reports say dozens more people are feared dead after the storm, which is one of the strongest ever recorded.

The scene here this morning is complete devastation.

Save the Children’s Vanuatu Country Director Tom Skirrow

Britain’s Department for International Development said “up to £1m” will be made immediately available to UN organisations and international aid agencies already working in the region following a request from the Vanuatu government. An additional £1m will be made available through the UK’s Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support. he Category Five storm struck the South Pacific archipelago with winds of up to 210mph, threatening more than 267,000 residents. The storm blew roofs off houses, uprooted trees and downed power lines. Officials in the capital Port Vila say there is no power or running water.

The damage is quite extensive in Port Vila but there are so many more vulnerable islands.

Chloe Morrison, a World Vision emergency communications officer

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