Six months on – an Australian perspective

By Jeremy Bruer, Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu

As I sit in my office today and look out my window, I see a very different picture from the one that greeted me six months ago. The sun is shining, the trees have new growth, most of the yachts that littered the seafront have been salvaged, and the market is selling fresh produce.

In the first 24 hours after Cyclone Pam struck, people rolled up their sleeves and got on with cleaning up to make their homes and streets safe. Within 36 hours, the first Australian Defence Force aircraft arrived, filled with personnel, equipment and humanitarian stores to support the Vanuatu Government’s emergency response.

In the days and weeks after the cyclone, Australian High Commission staff and deployed personnel worked tirelessly side-by-side with the Vanuatu Government, our diplomatic and NGO colleagues, and members of the public during the initial response and early recovery phases. I was inspired by their professionalism and dedication, and by the resilience of women and men in communities across the country.

Australia has committed a total of $50 million to the response, on top of the contributions made by the Australian Defence Force and the broader Australian community, and in addition to the $60 million delivered annually through the Australian Government’s bilateral and regional aid programs.

The achievements have been significant. With Australian funds, the World Food Programme delivered more than 1,300 tonnes of food to more than 160,000 ni-Vanuatu. Australian-funded NGO partners also distributed food, cyclone repair kits, temporary classroom kits and water and sanitation equipment to more than 40,000 people in severely affected areas.

Health facilities that sustained significant damage in Shefa and Tafea received critical medical equipment and urgent repairs. Pharmaceutical supplies have been restocked and immunisation coverage has increased. Australian funds have also helped women on cyclone-affected islands access sexual and reproductive health services.

An additional $2.3 million in school grants was provided to all primary schools in Shefa and Tafea to help get kids back to school.

Australian-funded NGO partners have constructed approximately 170 new toilets, rehabilitated water sources and aid posts, restarted agricultural production and provided counselling support for children affected by the cyclone. In Tanna, food-security and income-improvement projects have started for farmers.

The Vanuatu Government’s Post-Disaster Needs Assessment has identified critical needs in health, education, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. Australia’s $35 million long-term recovery package will help address these needs. It will help to support livelihoods, economic recovery and the private sector; repair and rebuild critical public infrastructure; restore health and education facilities; and support gender and disability inclusion.

Ministries have been busy leading the development of project proposals in line with the Vanuatu Government’s National Recovery and Economic Strengthening Program. Australia looks forward to working in partnership with the Vanuatu Government to see priority projects through to fruition.

Pam has left a complex legacy. We’ll never forget Friday 13 March 2015. Lives were tragically lost; homes, gardens and critical infrastructure were ruined. But we’ll also recall many examples of camaraderie, kindness and courage.

To the Vanuatu Government, to my staff at the Australian High Commission, to my colleagues in the diplomatic corps, to the representatives of the NGO and community sectors, and most importantly to the people of Vanuatu: you should be very proud of what you have achieved. There is still much to be done, but I’m confident that together we will “build a stronger, better and more resilient Vanuatu”.