PORT VILA, Vanuatu - Two consecutive Category 4 Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin ravaged the South Pacific island country within three days last week, compounded by earthquakes at the same time. The mix of disasters destroyed essential infrastructure including roads, power lines, tele-communications towers, and water supply. Many houses and food crops are damaged as well. The Government estimates that at least 250,000 out of 300,000 plus population are affected, and declared a State of Emergency.

Having operated from within Vanuatu for decades, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - the UN sexual and reproductive health agency - has been on the ground from Day 1 of this large-scale emergency to support the government-led response and recovery efforts, in coordination with other UN agencies. As part of the national cluster system led by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), UNFPA is contributing in particular to the Health Cluster led by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and to the Gender and Protection Cluster led by the Department of Women Affairs (DWA), both of which have already commenced the rapid needs assessments.

Hon. Minister of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Environment, Energy and NDMO, Mr. Ralph Regenvanu, appreciates UNFPA Pacific’s offer of assistance especially with a view to ensuring the continuity of essential life-saving reproductive health and protection services for the affected women, adolescents and youth, and people with disabilities.

As the world marks the International Women’s Day on 8 March, UNFPA Pacific is out in the communities listening to the needs of pregnant women and other affected people. UNFPA estimates that there are currently more than 5,100 pregnant women across Vanuatu, all of whom require maternal health and delivery services. In the next 30 days only, 570 live births will require obstetric and newborn health services. 27,200 adolescent girls will continue to have menstrual hygiene needs. In support of MOH and DWA, and in partnership with NGO partners such as the Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), UNFPA Pacific with support of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is distributing “Dignity Kits” to affected women to help address their hygiene and protection needs and safeguard their dignity.UNFPA is mobilizing additional equipment including life-saving reproductive health kits (“RHKits”) and mobile clinics to get to the hardest-to-reach communities even in remote islands, to ensure clean and safe deliveries of babies despite this emergency situation. UNFPA also stands ready to help establish “safe spaces” for the displaced women and girls to be protected from gender-based violence.

UNFPA Pacific Director and Representative Mr. Iori Kato, has been in the populous capital Port Vila since before TC Judy hit on 1 March and continued to stay after TC Kevin wreaked havoc on 3 March. “On the occasion of the International Women’s Day today, UNFPA Pacific stands in solidarity with all those affected in Vanuatu especially women and girls, as in a tumultuous time like this, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and those with disabilities unfortunately often find themselves in a disproportionately vulnerable and precarious situation,” said Iori Kato, adding “We at UNFPA, as part of the UN Pacific  Humanitarian Team, are committed to doing all we can to provide critical humanitarian assistance to contribute to the government-led response, to safeguard the health and dignity of women and girls, including for integrated services for sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and mental health and psychosocial support.”

Immediately before the cyclones hit the capital city, UNFPA Pacific Director Iori Kato was granted an opportunity to meet with Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Jotham Napat, MP and presented a letter from UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem introducing him to the Government of Vanuatu. Kato also met with Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Management Mr. John D. Salong, MP as well.