Clean water for the most vulnerable after Cyclone Pam

UNICEF will be reaching families like this on Tanna Island with water
purification tablets and containers © UNICEF/Pacific/2015/Crumb

Vanuatu’s Tanna Island was pummeled by Super Cyclone Pam last Friday night with children and parents clinging onto the little around them that could withstand the storm. With many homes flattened and water supplies cut off, thousands of children were left without access to clean water. UNICEF has quickly responded by helping vulnerable families access clean water.

Thousands of water purification tablets and water containers are being delivered to the island as part of early relief efforts. “One packet of the purification tablets can make 50 litres of safe drinking water for people who desperately need it,” said Alice Clements, UNICEF Communication Specialist.

“Yesterday we delivered 20,000 of these tablets to Tanna, so we’re already getting aid through and we’re really able to make a difference to the people who need it the most.”

UNICEF has been working round the clock amidst logistical, communication and supply challenges to deliver safe drinking water, water containers, purification tablets, soap, and temporary toilets.

Tanna was heavily hit by the cyclone. Green Hill City Trade School was completely gutted by the category five cyclone, leaving only the outer structure behind. UNICEF is working to ensure the most vulnerable children throughout Vanuatu get the support they need as soon as possible.

“Supplies are already getting to children and families, and more containers are on their way,” said Mioh Nemoto, an Emergency Specialist for UNICEF in Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu. “They include more water, sanitation and hygiene materials, like the hygiene kits we’ve already sent, as well as more educational materials for children.”

UNICEF is delivering water containers to 2000 families as well as helping get Port Vila’s water system functioning again. “We’ve also delivered large generators in Port Vila to help power the city’s water pumps, which will be a huge help to the 1000s living here,” said Mioh.

Along with food and shelter, safe water and sanitation are among the highest priority interventions in emergency situations. Unless adequate water and sanitation services are quickly provided to emergency-affected children and their families, disease and death will follow.

In the face of such a desperate situation, Mioh has been touched by how local communities are trying to bounce back. ““I’m very surprised to see how resilient people are here, how quickly they’ve responded and how they are trying to be positive,” he said. “The roofs over their heads are gone but still they are trying to find some routine and a normal life.”

“There’s still very limited information about the total impact on all the islands, so it’s a challenge,” said Mioh. “What is sure is that children need more help and assistance.”

Donate now to help us reach the children affected by Cyclone Pam:
http://www.supportunicef.org/cyclonedonate

The author
Simon Nazer is communication consultant at UNICEF East Asia-Pacific