The Government in Vanuatu is coming under fire for taking control of the distribution of aid in the wake of Cyclone Pam.
There have been reports that people on one island have resorted to drinking harmful saltwater as they wait for aid in the wake of the category five storm that caused widespread destruction.
Residents on Moso Island, off the coast of the main island of Efate, have told the BBC they are still waiting for outside help.
Radio New Zealand International’s reporter in Port Vila, Koroi Hawkins, said the government was trying to manage how agencies delivered supplies, leading to a bizarre situation where aid was coming in and being stored in warehouses.
“It’s a remarkable stituation where the NGOs aren’t allowed to go in and just distribute the supplies,” he told Morning Report.
The National Disaster Management Office said it was still in the process of finding out exactly what supplies it has and who needs them.
Debris from Pam Cyclone on the Port Vila waterfront Photo: RNZ/Kim Baker-Wilson
And the entire population on one of Tuvalu’s islands has been evacuated due to flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Pam.
More than 400 people from the island Nanumaga have been moved as well as another 85 families from Nukulaelae.
Tuvalu’s Disaster Coordinator says a rapid assessment team is still making its way to the remaining outer islands but they have begun distributing aid to those affected.
Suneo Silu says their priority island is Nui where water supplies were contaminated after the island was covered by a large swell.
“The worst island - that’s Nui and then coming down to Vaitupu and Nukufetau. All islands were flooded. The three northern islands were badly affected by flooding and the central island as well.”
Health officials in Tuvalu are expecting an outbreak of disease on the islands.
