Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Caritas worker reflects on aftermath of Cyclone Pam

Caritas humanitarian coordinator reflects on aftermath of Cyclone Pam


Mark Mitchell, Humanitarian Programmes Coordinator for Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, witnessed the devastation of Cyclone Pam and has been part of the emergency relief efforts to get food and shelter to those most in need. This week he returned home for Easter to spend time with his family in Wellington and reflected on what he had seen.

15,000 Vanuatu homes have been destroyed so securing access to shelter has been a top priority for the Caritas Oceania team – including Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Caritas Tonga and Caritas Australia. Mr Mitchell said that coordination of the response was going well and communications infrastructure is being reactivated. The Caritas team are distributing 2,500 tarpaulins thereby ensuring that those worst affected had shelter while they begin the process of rebuilding.

“What struck me most about the situation was the resilience of the people. Despite all they have gone through they are simply getting on with the business of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods” said Mr Mitchell.

“The local people have salvaged what they could. But even where people have been rebuilding there are holes in the iron roofing sheets so we have been providing plastic sheeting which can help cover the holes and provide protection from the weather” said Mr Mitchell.

In addition to providing shelter the team is also helping with food distribution. 75% of vegetable crops and fruit crops were destroyed and 50% of livestock were lost in the Cyclone. Getting food to hungry people has therefore also been a key part of the relief effort.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Another impressive aspect of the relief efforts was the good coordination between the various aid agencies and the government. “The teams have worked well together and have maximised the existing relationships to ensure effective use of the resources deployed to help Vanuatu build back better” said Mr Mitchell.

After a short break Mr Mitchell will be returning to Vanuatu to continue the work. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is appealing for donations to the Pacific Cyclone Relief fund to respond to immediate needs and help affected communities in Vanuatu rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

ends
`

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.