translated from Spanish: UN releases 2.5 mdd to help Vanuatu after cyclone

United Nations.-The United Nations released $2.5 million from its humanitarian emergency fund on Monday to help thousands of people in the nation of Vanuatu, an archipelago in the southern Pacific Ocean that was affected by Cyclone Harold, and offered support to other storm-hit countries. The cyclone touched the mainland on the largest island of Vanuatu, Spirit Holy, on April 6 and then lasacored the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga. The UN cited media reports reporting that the storm left more than twenty dead, destroying homes, buildings and crops in all four countries.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Sunday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “deep solidarity with the people of the Pacific as they face the impact of this cyclone along with other climate-related challenges, as well as the pandemic of the new coronavirus, which adds a worrying new dimension to existing vulnerabilities.”
The secretary general is “ready” to assist in recovery efforts, he noted.

In Vanuatu, the UN humanitarian office said that “initial assessments indicate that up to 90% of the population in Sanma, the hardest-hit province… lost their homes, and that more than half of all schools and nearly a quarter of health centers were damaged.” Crops were destroyed and many communities are isolated from aid due to flooding and road destruction,” the office added.” Thousands of people urgently need shelter, water and food to survive,” said UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock, who announced the release of $2.5 million for Vanuatu on Monday. He also praised the government and lifeguards for making sure people were safe before the storm came and for meeting needs immediately thereafter.

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Original source in Spanish