Canadian Nicolas Verdy leading Red Cross response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

By Kathryn Dunmore, Red Cross blogger

When Canadian Red Cross delegate Nicolas Verdy arrived in Vanuatu shortly after Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, a category 5 storm, made landfall, he was amazed at the amount of destruction to buildings and vegetation but also at the resiliency of the people.

“Trees have not just fallen, but also thrown 30 feet and people’s crops have been affected to a degree I have never seen before,” said Nicolas. “It’s impressive to see visually the destruction, but people here are very resilient. Within days, they were cleaning up houses, roads were opening, and all with a smile on their faces.”

Priorities after Cycle Pam touched down on Friday March 13 included ensuring shelter, food, water and first aid was available to the people of Vanuatu and Tuvalu in the South Pacific Ocean.

Nicolas with supplies for relief efforts in Vanuatu

Montreal native Nicolas Verdy shows supplies on the ground in Vanuatu /Photo Courtesy IFRC

“The positive attitude of the people here is contagious,” said Nicolas, originally from Montreal. “We’re up at 5 a.m. and, by 6:30 a.m., hundreds of people who have lost everything show up to volunteer and help the community. Another positive element is the response to the emergency appeal; the international community response to Vanuatu has been amazing. Also the work occurring early on from the Red Cross movement has a positive impact. Prior to the cyclone, Red Cross was working hard in assessing provisions and sending alerts and messages to evacuate so people were already preparing when the storm came in. For me, that is a clear reason why the number of casualties is as low as it is.”
 
Prior to the cyclone’s arrival, the Vanuatu Red Cross assisted authorities in carrying out evacuations across the country. The Red Cross also coordinated with the National Disaster Management Office to mobilize volunteers through national radio broadcasts conveying important safety measures.
 
As an operations coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross, Nicolas works with multiple agencies to ensure recovery plans unfold, such as liaising with government agencies and Red Cross Societies.
 
“I’ve heard that one in two people in this country are affected,” noted Nicolas. “Some people lost everything, some people died, and some lost one or two things. Because people are positive and the work we’re doing is reaching communities, it has been very motivating.”
 
Canadians can support Red Cross efforts to respond Cyclone Pam

Canadians wishing to support our efforts can make a financial donation to the Cyclone Pam Relief Fund online, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office.

These images shared on Facebook by pilot William Dyer illustrate the extent of the destruction.
 
 


You can also see some video footage of Vanuatu Red Cross volunteers mobilized to assist.

 

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