23 Mar 2018

Hungry and homeless on Malekula in Vanuatu wait for aid

From , 4:03 pm on 23 March 2018

The Vanuatu Disaster Management Officer on Malekula says most people affected by Tropical Cyclone Hola have not received any relief supplies and are now resorting to stealing food.

Abelson Abel from the NDMO at Lakatoro says despite detailed assessments being completed people are becoming frustrated at the lack of practical help.

He told Jenny Meyer over a thousand homes were completely destroyed and another thousand partly damaged in central and northern Malekula when Hola hit nearly three weeks ago.

Despite community education before the cyclone season to boost resilience, he said that people are finding it tough to wait so long for help.

More aid arrives for storage at the Vanuatu Disaster Management Office. Immediately after the Cyclone the NDMO said there simply was not enough to go around.

More aid arrives for storage at the Vanuatu Disaster Management Office. Immediately after the Cyclone the NDMO said there simply was not enough to go around. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins