Suva / Geneva: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) yesterday launched an international appeal for 5.7 million Swiss francs to assist 81,000 people across five Pacific Nations – Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea – all of which have been badly affected by Cyclone Pam and…
ABC – A joint fundraising effort by the Australian Red Cross and the ABC has raised more than $2 million (US$1.5 million) for Vanuatu’s Cyclone Pam relief appeal. Since Friday, all ABC radio, television, and online networks encouraged Australians to donate to the Red Cross or their preferred charity supporting those affected by the category…
A new global disaster risk governance study has identified the Pacific as a priority area. Launched at the recent World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the report includes a focus on two Pacific countries: Vanuatu, which is responding to devastating Tropical Cyclone Pam, and Solomon Islands that experienced…
ANZ on Wednesday announced that it will waive fees for International Money Transfers into Vanuatu, as relief efforts continue following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam. The fee waiver will apply to fund transfers made before 30 April 2015 by ANZ customers in 22 countries across Australasia, Asia and the Pacific*. ANZ last week announced…
The tenth round of the PACER Plus trade negotiations due to be held this week in Port Vila, Vanuatu has been postponed due to the damaging effects of Cyclone Pam, which slammed the country fortnight ago. The meeting was expected to progress the negotiations which are in their final phase. It is now expected to…
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is preparing initial assistance to support the government and people of Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone Pam caused deaths and widespread damage across the South Pacific archipelago over the weekend, ADB President Takehiko Nakao announced yesterday. “I offer my deepest condolences to the people of Vanuatu for the…
DIGICEL FIJI – As recovery efforts commence in Vanuatu, Digicel has made good progress in restoring its network enabling customers to make and receive calls, text messages and emails. The Digicel network in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, is almost fully restored and teams will soon now move to connect the rest of Efate, Tanna, Santo…
SPREP – The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) was in the Cook Islands this month helping local broadcasters to understand how they can promote and shape resilient development through their daily reporting and to also keep safe and stay ‘on air’ during times of disasters. National media and key Government agencies, including…
FUNAFUTI, (RNZI) – The Prime Minister of Tuvalu says nearly half of the population has been displaced by Cyclone Pam. Enele Sopoaga said most people living on the outer islands had been severely affected, with houses and crops being washed away and at least one island being entirely flooded. Tuvalu has a population of 9876…
FIJI LIVE – The Fijian Government is on standby to accommodate requests for assistance from the Vanuatu Government, says Minister for National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu. The Vanuatu Government has declared a state of emergency in Shefa province as it seeks to recover from the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam. An appeal for global…