Red Cross has launched the Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu) 2015 Appeal to provide humanitarian support to people affected by the immensely destructive cyclone in the Pacific.
Cyclone Pam has caused a major humanitarian crisis. More than 100,000 people are in need of shelter, healthcare, clean water and sanitation facilities.
Homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings were damaged and destroyed across the capital, Port Vila, where over 2,800 people remain in evacuation centres.
Assessments are now under way in the outer islands. Tanna Island was described as 'simply flattened', while aerial assessments of the Shepherd Islands show near-total destruction of homes, buildings and crops.
Photo: Hanna Butler/IFRC
Red Cross is there
Red Cross was active well before Cyclone Pam hit. We were working with local authorities to get people to safety in evacuation centres, and getting radio warnings to people outside the capital.
More than 100 Red Cross staff and volunteers are now registering and supporting people at evacuation centres and distributing emergency relief items.
The Australian Government has sent relief supplies, including tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and other items for 1,000 families. These will be distributed by Vanuatu Red Cross.
In the days ahead, we will be providing safe drinking water and restoring sanitation systems to prevent disease outbreaks. We will also help provide shelter for those whose homes have been damaged by winds and flooding. We will continue to offer emotional support to those affected, and especially those who have lost loved ones and homes to this terrible storm.
Red Cross emergency response teams are active in all parts of the Pacific affected by the cyclone, including Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
To donate by phone: Freecall 1800 811 700
To donate by mail: Send a cheque or money order to: Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu) 2015 Appeal, Australian Red Cross, GPO Box 2957 Melbourne VIC 3001. Please include a note to specify the donation is for the Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu) 2015 Appeal.
To donate in person: You can make a donation to the Cyclone Pam (Vanuatu) 2015 Appeal over the counter at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
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About the Appeal
How will funds from the appeal be used?
Funds raised will provide humanitarian support to people and communities affected by Cyclone Pam, including:
- emergency relief and recovery assistance to affected communities, displaced people and host families in Vanuatu
- water and sanitation, shelter and health initiatives in affected areas
- sending specialist aid workers to assist in initial assessments, relief, recovery and longer-term disaster management operations.
How much is Red Cross taking for administrative costs?
Australian Red Cross ensures that at least 90% of funds raised for an international appeal are spent directly on our emergency response programs. Our appeal and administration costs for international appeals vary depending upon the type and scale of activity, but are never more than 10% of any donation and only cover the directly associated costs in administering and promoting the appeal, such as the toll free inbound phone, postage for mailing receipts to donors, temporary staff if required, bank fees, audit and financial accountability. Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of the people in the affected areas, Australian Red Cross will direct the excess funds to disaster management initiatives in the region. Any interest earned on donations will be invested back into the appeal.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.
Can I donate goods?
Thank you for your generous offer. Red Cross does not accept or distribute goods donated by the public to communities affected by disasters. This is because we cannot store or transport the donated goods, and it is better to purchase relief items locally or as close to the area as possible.
The best way to help people affected by an emergency is usually to donate money because this empowers people to buy what they need the most and support their local businesses.
How can I find out about family and friends?
People concerned for the welfare of family and friends should first attempt to contact them directly.
If the person overseas is an Australian Citizen, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (in Australia) or +612 6261 3305 (for enquirers overseas).
A website for concerned friends and family is now live at familylinks.icrc.org/vanuatu. This site enables people to search through a list of missing persons or find people who have responded that they are alive; register names of persons with whom they have lost contact; and register names of persons who wish to inform others that they are alive.
Can I volunteer in Vanuatu or other countries in the Pacific?
Australian Red Cross does not send volunteers overseas during a disaster or emergency response. In these instances, we would only send trained specialists who have experience working in international emergencies and with Red Cross.
However, we will have 6-12 month financially-supported volunteer assignments in Vanuatu, Fiji and other countries available in the next few months. Find out more.