We're on our way to help animals in Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam devastation

Reports emerging from Vanuatu over the weekend spoke of the devastating impacts Cyclone Pam has had on the South Pacific Ocean island nation. Initial communication from the island has suggested that the country’s subsistence agricultural sector has suffered unprecedented damage, leaving many livestock killed or injured and vulnerable.

Animals in need

Storms on the scale of Cyclone Pam, registered a Category 5 – the highest category of tropical cyclone, typically leave animals in severe distress and in need of veterinary care. Of those left alive, many will be displaced, injured and at serious risk of disease and infection over the coming weeks. Currently we are aware of severe food shortages impacting pigs and other livestock on the islands.

Our disaster response team will be arriving in Vanuatu later this week to deliver emergency care to animals in urgent need and assess the longer term support needed to minimise animal suffering in the wake of the storm.

Our work will complement the humanitarian relief by protecting animals as both people's companions and main source of livelihoods.

James Sawyer, International Director of Disaster Management at World Animal Protection said:

"In a disaster of this magnitude, we anticipate animals will have a range of needs such as emergency veterinary care, emergency feed, shelter - what you normally see in severe wind and water disasters. We're on the way now to help where the animal need is greatest and will update you from Vanuatu"

Preparing for the worst     

Last year we were in Vanuatu following Cyclone Lusi. Despite Lusi recording as a much weaker storm, it caused terrible devastation. We saw that a major problem for animals on the islands was access to veterinary care.

Thanks to your support, we provided veterinary kits to each of the six provinces in Vanuatu. Our aim was to improve Vanuatu's ability to help animals in future disasters, and Cyclone Pam will be the first time that is put to the test.

Last week we were also able to reach out to local media in Vanuatu to deliver public service announcements to communities, ensuring they had the information they needed to protect their animals as best as they could before the storm struck.

Preparing for the worst and reducing the risks that disasters pose to animals can significantly improve the recovery of communities affected.

Steven Clegg, our Disaster Response Team Leader in Asia Pacific said:

“Animals are important to the people in Vanuatu like everywhere else. They love their pets and more than most places, depend on livestock for transportation, economic and food security. We are focused helping animals with urgent needs as well as protect entire communities.”