Tropical Cyclone Pam: Epi Island men still waiting to hear from families after cyclone
Updated
As further news of the damage from Tropical Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu gradually trickles in, 10 men from Epi Island are still waiting to hear from their families.
Cyclone Pam tore through the island archipelago with devastating force last Friday, leaving around 70 per cent of the population displaced and at least 11 confirmed dead.
Facebook photos posted late last night indicated that the families are safe, but the men, currently working on a farm in the Yarra Valley, have not been able to make contact.
Willi Graham, chief of Lamen Bay, said he was talking to his family on Friday before the cyclone hit but that the phone line went dead in the middle of his conversation.
He said it was likely the phone tower on the island had blown over, and there had been no communication since.
"You can't get anybody because the tower was damaged by the cyclone," he said.
It's really only hit home with them in the past few days how bad it is.
Justin Watson
"We can't talk to someone in the village, there's no communication between us.
"Today will be a week since I've spoken to them of anyone from Lamen Bay or Epi.
"I think it is the worst cyclone that has ever come past the area of Lamen Bay."
Mr Graham's employer Justin Watson, who regularly visits the island, said although the community had weathered cyclones before, Cyclone Pam looked like the worst.
"They've had cyclones before and they've pulled through them OK, but... this one's been so much bigger and so much more devastating.
"It's really only hit home with them in the past few days how bad it is."
Lamen Bay now facing challenge of food and water
Mr Graham said the challenge facing Lamen Bay would now be access to food and water.
"Normally after a cyclone we will be out of food because the villages grow their food in the gardens," he said.
"So in a few weeks there will be no more food from the gardens.
"And most of the water pipes ... may be broken and there will be no more water until they fix the pipes.
"It will be a very hard time for the people."
Mr Watson said he would be leading a team of tradesmen to help rebuild, after estimating from a flyover that the island was "70 to 80 per cent destroyed".
"We intend to go over there with some chainsaws and bring in some seeds as well, so that they can replant because their crops have been destroyed," he said.
"Our first project will be reinstating the water supply, then we will look at rebuilding aid posts (which are in every village and funded by the community normally) then the kindergarten and food gardens."
The team, operating under the name Hands for Epi, will also be joined by Mr Graham.
"It's very important that I can go with the team and see what's going on," he said.
You can support the ABC's #WithVanuatu appeal by donating at redcross.org.au, or by calling 1800 811 700. To support Hands for Epi, email [email protected].
Topics: climate-change, cyclone, cyclones, vanuatu
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