Prime Minister Natuman visits Shepherd Islands

The small islands of the Shepherds Group in Shefa Province, just north of Efate and Port Vila, that were severely hit by Cyclone Pam, received the first visit of the country’s Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, Monday.

Visiting all the islands aboard a helicopter, the Prime Minister first called at Mataso Island where he paid tribute to the two deaths that occurred there as a result of the cyclone.

One woman was reported to have died instantly after being hit on the head by a timber from the house she was sheltering in.

A man was reportedly hit by a coconut tree and survived for five days and died for lack of medical help.

These two deaths saw total fatalities as a result of the cyclone reach 11.

After Mataso, the Prime Minister visited Makira, Tongariki, and Emae where it had been reported earlier that 90% of dwellings on the island were damaged. In all the islands, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by the people.

Meanwhile, the first shipments of cyclone relief of food, water, shelter and hygiene kits have arrived in the Shepherds Group aboard two sailing boats including the Dragon Fly and the MV Sarafenua .

The Government Public Relations Officer, Kiery Manassah, says there is supply enough for 15 to 20 days to help people in all affected areas of the country including those in evacuation centres in Port Vila with relief assistance including seeds and tools to help them to start rebuilding their lives. He says after 20 days the Government is looking forward to receiving more relief supplies including food that has been pledged by World Food Program.

It has been estimated that 166,000 people from 33,000 homes whose lives have been impacted by Cyclone Pam, the government is expecting them to keep the Vanuatu resilience by going ahead and rebuilding their lives and not relying too heavily on handouts.

20 countries including Australia, New Zealand, France, China, the United Kingdom, Fiji and Japan have responded to the devastation on the people of Vanuatu by providing relief supplies. Also involved are UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations.