The country is already threatened by coastal erosion and rising sea levels in addition to five active volcanoes and earthquakes. "This is why I am attending this Conference and why Vanuatu wants to see a strong new framework on disaster risk reduction which will support us in tackling the drivers of disaster risk such as climate change."
Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that perhaps half the population of Vanuatu, It is estimated that at least half the population of Vanuatu has been affected by cyclone Pam. Of these, at least 54,000 are children.
Many homes in Vanuatu have likely been destroyed as they are built with natural and local materials such as thatched and corrugated roofs that are vulnerable to strong winds and floods.
UNICEF also reports that schools, churches and community halls are being used as emergency shelters. Many of these buildings are likely to have suffered structural damage. Lifeline facilities like hospitals, electrical utilities, water supply and telephone systems are most likely severely damaged.
Other Pacific Island countries have been severely impact as well, including the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati.
In Vanuatu, health centres have likely sustained severe damage and will need rebuilding and restocking with medical and nutrition supplies. Plans are under way to support the Government to do a major measles immunization campaign, given recent cases.
Schools are being used as evacuation centres, and UNICEF will be supporting children's education, including providing school in a box kits. Child friendly spaces will be set up in evacuation centres to provide children with psycho-social assistance.
UNICEF's immediate needs to assist the affected countries is at least $2 million, initially covering support to water, sanitation, hygiene, health, education, nutrition and protection services, and including support for the high costs of logistics across this vast geographic area.
On Saturday, Sune Gudnitz, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for the Pacific said Vanuatu had accepted OCHA's offer to deploy staff to support the coordination of the response.
A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team was expected arrive in Port Vila late Saturday. OCHA was also expected to deploy three staff with information management, public information and humanitarian coordination as well.
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