Cyclone Pam devastates Vanatua

OK first of all to address the pressing question "Where is Vanatua?" For those who don't know, it is located in the South Pacific off the North East coast of Australia near to Fiji (see map below).

What has happened?
Yesterday a category 5 cyclone veered off its predicted track to smash in to populated areas on the island nation of Vanatua. Wind speeds of up to 270 km per hour were recorded!

In the capital city, Port Vila, 90% of buildings have been damaged and 10 people are confirmed dead with many more dead in other parts of the island. 

What next?

The need for Humanitarian aid in this country is desperate. Many people are now homeless and living in temporary shelters with one toilet between 300.
Immediate priorities are:

• Shelter
• Clean Water
• Sanitation

Currently the airport is seriously damaged but officials hope that it can partially open later today to allow relief planes to begin landing. Already New Zealand, the UK and the EU have pledge $1 million each in support of the crisisand Australia has offered $5 million to its neighbour country.

Read more at the link below

The Guardian - Vanatua Death Toll Rises