We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of previous World ARC sailors who have visited Vanuatu as part of their circumnavigation. Other rally participants have also been in contact to support the appeal, touched by the news of the terrible ordeal caused by Cyclone Pam. One donor who plans to visit the islands by yacht in the future was keen to contribute to help now, rather than wait until they arrive.
The World Cruising Club Vanuatu Cyclone Relief Fund has now passed the $25,000 mark, and continues to climb as donations are received. The first $5000 is being distributed tomorrow by the owner of Yachting World Port Vila directly into the hands of their fifty two staff to help them rebuild their family homes, and provide for basic of needs of safe water to drink and shelter.
News from Tanna, where it appears that more than 80 per cent of houses and buildings have been partially or completely destroyed, continues to be hard to get, as Stanley from the Customs Office in Port Vila reports by e-mail to us: “Thank you for your thoughts. Tanna was badly affected by the cyclone. We have also lost contact with our Officer on Lenakel, as telecommunication lines have been damaged during the storm.”
Another quote reads: "Residents told of a terrifying and unprecedented storm that raged for hours, flattening whole villages, wiping out subsistence crops and damaging or destroying more than three-quarters of all homes on the island."
"Tourism will play a vital role in the economic recovery of Vanuatu. One of the best things people can do to help the people of Vanuatu get back on their feet is to make this island nation their next holiday destination.” And that is why we are committed to ensuring we visit with the World ARC fleet in July, with visits as planned to Port Resolution on Tanna, and then the capital at Port Vila. To all of you that have donated, on behalf of everyone who will benefit through our contacts in Vanuatu, “Thank you”.
For cruisers planning to independently visit the islands Rob Latimer of Medical Sailing Ministries, who was in Port Vila during the cyclone, plans to publish a list of items that would be helpful to take to the remote communities on their website
www.msm.org.au