In March 2015, Cyclone Pam struck the islands of Vanuatu as the second most intense tropical cyclone of the South Pacific Ocean. Though food stocks, water sources, crops, health facilities, and schools were severely damaged, there were only 11 deaths due to the efficiency of disaster preparedness and responses by the Vanuatu government. Namely, the warnings sent by Vanuatu’s National Warning Centre to inform residents despite nearly 65% of the gross domestic product being destroyed. Cyclone Pam was a category 5 storm of intense winds; resulting in up to 70% of the population being affected, more than 70% of Vanuatu’s health facilities were damaged, and 95% of the crops were spoiled. The consequences of the cyclone were further perpetuated by poor sanitation and increasing rates of acute diarrheal disease in children. Additionally, the public health sector was faced with the possibility of worsening incidence rates of respiratory illnesses, waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases such as typhoid and dengue fever.
The public health response to Cyclone Pam was very targeted; preventative interventions were prioritized such as childhood immunization, reproductive and sexual health services, and domestic violence prevention. Furthermore, international aid partners helped residents protect their homes and provided shelter kits/hygiene supplies, communal kitchens, and clean drinking water.
Despite the commendable efforts of Vanuatu’s government and the Ministry of Health, Vanuatu is still very susceptible to disasters so monitoring disasters and warning systems are critical for future threats.
Read the full case study here.