TC Harold assistance

A team representing the TRBR Social Club  handed over the donation to members of Port Vila/Pentecost Mwebalehan community at Anabrou in Port Vila.

President of TRBR Social Club, Ritchie Melve confirmed that a similar donation of aid will be made in the coming weeks to other communities that have been severely affected by TC Harold.

Items donated included rice, sugar, biscuit crackers and noodles.

TRBR Social Club was established a few months ago. This is the first donation of its kind to the community affected by a natural disaster in Vanuatu.

Controller of the MALAMPA Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC), Donald Pelam, said, “The people need you (MPs) at this time to help them get back on their feet. Your support will mean a lot to them and will make a difference.”

Mr Pelam thanked the government for the recent arrival of dry rations that will soon be distributed to most affected areas in north and east Malekula.

“We still need more supplies for the least affected areas and we are calling on our leaders to lend a hand,” he said.

The cyclone affected Ambrym, Malakula, Paama, Ambae, Pentecost, Maewo, Malo, and the large island of Espiritu Santo, where the country’s second-largest city, Luganville, is located.

“As we grapple with the COVID-19 crisis, we must be vigilant and responsive to natural disasters that may occur at any time,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. “Our Pacific developing member countries are among the most vulnerable countries, globally, to the effects of climate change and ADB stands ready to provide further assistance for Vanuatu to rebuild following the cyclone.”

According to AVL, only special international charter, medivac, and technical stop flight applications are currently being considered and approved (or denied) by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), during Vanuatu’s active COVID-19 and TC Harold National State of Emergency.

AVL said upon receiving formal notification of approval for any specific flight, it notifies and works closely with the nominated ground handling organisation and other relevant agencies to facilitate arrivals and departures formalities.