'Monster' Cyclone Strikes Heavy Toll in Vanuatu - East Idaho News
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‘Monster’ Cyclone Strikes Heavy Toll in Vanuatu

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thinkstock 3.16.15 palmtreeinstorm?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1426548807864Tom Patrick/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu is trying to claw its way back after a monster cyclone hit the chain over the weekend.

The first step is trying to exactly determine the extent of the damage, a task that will take days, if not longer.

“It is a big challenge, to reach all of the affected communities given the large geographical coverage and the effect of the cyclone, as well as the fact that many of these communities are extremely remote and only accessible by boat,” said Kate Roux, who is coordinating relief for the International Red Cross in Bangkok.

“So it will take days until we have a clear picture and full extent of the damage,” she added.

[ SLIDESHOW: Dramatic Images of Vanuatu Hit By “Monster” Cyclone ]

Damage in the country’s capital of Porta Vila is extensive, with 90 percent classified as either “damaged or destroyed.”

The airport on the country’s main island has reopened, allowed some aid flights to reach the country.

Given the fact that damage to homes and infrastructure throughout the country is severe, a wide range of items such as tarps, water containers, medical supplies and construction tools are needed.

Roux said on Monday that getting supplies quickly is extremely important.

“Thankfully we do have a lot of good hubs and pre-positioned relief supplies in different parts of Vanuatu as well as the wider Pacific region so that we’re able to quickly pull together our resources,” she said.

“So again, as a global network, the Red Cross and the British Red Cross down to the Vanuatu Red Cross is able to link together and bring together expertise to meet the needs such as food, water, shelter of these affected communities,” Roux added.

The country of Vanuatu has a population of 267,000 over 65 islands, and lies about a quarter of the way from Australia to Hawaii.



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