Disaster preparedness

But a widespread, co-operative effort is underway to make sure congregations and communities know what to do in a disaster and react with a plan – not panic.

Secretary of the Vanuatu Christian Council Pastor Shem Temar said the churches are now taking the lead as the threat of more damaging events grows.

“The government, and other NGOs, we are working with the same populations,” he says.

“Most of the population in Vanuatu goes to church."

Assessments are still being carried out in islands in northern and central Vanuatu after they were hit by cyclone Hola last week.

The operations manager for Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office said food gardens, houses and public infrastructure had been damaged on most of the islands.

Peter Korisa said since the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Pam in March 2015 - three years ago this week - there is more awareness in communities, but most lack the resources to put it into practice.

At the moment, there are no clear instruments in place to address the needs of disaster-caused displaced citizens as their entitlement to resettle and rehabilitate, said the Disaster Operations Manager, Peter Korisa.

“The policy has been formulated and is yet to be approved by the Council of Ministers (COM). Each province was consulted on the policy.

“It will become effective once approved,” he said.

Radio Vanuatu reports U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, Catherine Ebert-Gray, led the inauguration of the structure today.

She was joined by Mr. Ham Lini Vanuaroroa, Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-hazards, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management; Mr. Jotham Napat, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities; Mr. Jesse Benjamin, of the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department; and Mr. Raynold Surmat, Mr. Nakat Kuckrey and Mr. Daniel Samson of the Tafea Local Government.

SBS reports eighteen-year-old Jordy Didok Iokaim won't soon forget what Cyclone Pam did to his village in the central part of Vanuatu's Tanna Island.  

It was one of the areas worst affected by the category five storm which struck in March 2015.

"We were afraid, because this cyclone is not like some of the cyclones that [have happened] on our island," he said.

His house survived, but 20 people from his village of 30 were left homeless, seeking refuge inside Mr Iokaim's family home.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) monitors and predicts natural events like typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes and climate change.

JMA, with 5,200 staff nationwide, also provides information for securing air traffic safety, development and prosperity of industry and international cooperation.

Pacific Island countries, including Papua New Guinea, can learn from Japan when preparing for disasters by also adapting an effective monitoring system.

Despite the disadvantage of not having advanced technology, PNG should start investing in this vital area.