18 Mar 2015

Port Vila rebuild begins

12:23 pm on 18 March 2015

The Vanuatu authorities say water in the capital, Port Vila, is up and running again and all roads on the island of Efate will be cleared by Saturday.

Port Vila, Vanuatu, after Cyclone Pam.

Port Vila, Vanuatu, after Cyclone Pam. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

National Disaster Management Office spokesperson Benjamin Shing said roads in Port Vila would be cleared by today of all the debris from Cyclone Pam.

Mr Shing said on Tanna, which suffered a direct hit by the cyclone, many key roads had been cleared.

He said it was fortunate a Chinese company had recently sent heavy equipment to the island for a project.

"We used all their heavy machinery, they have cleared all the roads - from Lenakel all the way to the airport, from Isangel all the way to the airport, and they also cleared from the airport, from Whitegrass all the way to Whitesands and the hospital area. So they have cleared all those roads, which is quite fortunate."

But Mr Shing said the crews were at risk of running out of fuel.

Telecommunications being restored

Mr Shing said telecommunications were being restored.

"We have got satphones in the provinces and can now speak to the secretary-generals who are the chairpersons of the provincial disaster committees and that gives us a good information flow back to HQ for our assessments and our responses."

Workers from Vanuatu's electricity provider UNELCO repair power lines

Workers from Vanuatu's electricity provider UNELCO repair power lines Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins

Hospital stretched

The head of Port Vila's hospital says an influx of patients after cyclone Pam is stretching the hospital's limited resources.

The hospital was severely damaged with only the newest wing left standing.

Medical superintendent Richard Leona said the hospital has already treated 150 patients with cyclone-related injuries and illnesses, and was expecting many more as officials make contact with the outer islands.

"The biggest challenge we have here is trying to manage an influx of patients with a very limited team and resource, and also tiring staff who have also got damaged homes, so they're trying to manage their homes at the same time.

Mr Leona said he was expecting a field hospital to arrive from Australia very soon.

A medical evacuation team is also due to visit the island of Tanna today to bring patients to Port Vila.

Mary Yalu in Port Vila with grandchild Pamina, born the morning Cylcone Pam struck. The family's home was destroyed in the storm.

Mary Yalu in Port Vila with grandchild Pamina, born the morning Cylcone Pam struck. The family's home was destroyed in the storm. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins

School could be weeks away

The aid agency Save the Children said it would be weeks before children in Vanuatu can go back to school as the country recovers from cyclone Pam.

Spokesperson Sally Page said some schools had been destroyed and others were serving as evacuation centres.

She said about 45,000 children could not go to school, and temporary learning spaces would be set up in the meantime.

"Their schools may not be in place, infrastructure may not be there. But they can get a sense of normality by going back to school. Because that's what the children I spoke to yesterday really want to do."

Ms Page said Save the Children has distributed aid to 2,000 people so far and crews were also planning to reach the badly affected islands today with more supplies.

The deputy principal of a Port Vila school that is being used as an evacuation centre sheltering more than 500 people said it was not clear how long they could stay there.

Sikal Iuarel said there were enough supplies at Fresh Wota School, but more clean drinking water would be needed soon.

Mr Iuarel said he was not sure how long the school could be used as an evacuation centre, and frustration was growing among the evacuees about their uncertainty.

Erromango extensively damaged

The Vanuatu authorities said an initial assessment of Erromango, which suffered a direct hit by Cyclone Pam, showed extensive damage but there were no reports of fatalities.

Eleven people were confirmed to have been killed across the country.

Mr Shing said after assessments in the south, teams were being sent to the northern areas.

A damaged home in Port Vila.

A damaged home in Port Vila. Photo: AFP