25 Jun 2015

Tuvalu hit with US$90m cyclone damage bill

4:06 pm on 25 June 2015

Tuvalu says it needs an estimated US$92 million US dollars to re-build after Tropical Cyclone Pam.

Entire islands of the low lying country were flooded during storm surges from the cyclone which struck the region in March.

In a speech opening Tuvalu's parliament, the Governor General Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli said the cyclone damaged food crops and vegetation, water shortages, homes, infrastructure, and property.

The funds are needed not only for recovery efforts but to better protect people from future disasters.

Tuvalu - tidal surges 16x10

Storm surges from Cyclone Pam Photo: Supplied