More Aussie aid arrives in Vanuatu

An Australian navy ship has arrived in Vanuatu to deliver aid to cyclone victims.

HMAS Tobruk arriving in Vanuatu

HMAS Tobruk arriving in Vanuatu

(Transcript from World News Radio)

 

An Australian navy ship has arrived in Vanuatu to deliver aid to cyclone victims.

 

And as Naomi Selvaratnam reports, more Australian aid is on its way.

 

The Navy landing ship, HMAS Tobruk, arrived in Port Vila, with supplies for two-and-a-half-thousand victims of severe tropical Cyclone Pam.

 

Also on board were more than 300 people to help Vanuatu rebuild, and a helicopter to reach remote areas.

 

As HMAS Tobruk arrived in Vila, another shipment of aid left Sydney -- much of it public donations.

 

Passenger Linda Hawkins donated food and toiletries during the aid drive.

 

"We've been to the islands before, we can see how they work and how they rely on the tourist trades. So when we heard that we were going there, we thought it would be good to contribute to help them get back on their feet again."

 

The 40 tonnes of aid leaving Sydney included food, clothing and 20-thousand bottles of water.

 

It will arrive in Port Vila next weekend, and will be distributed to some of the islands worst-affected by Cyclone Pam.

 

Meanwhile, communities in Vanuatu are trying to return to routine.

 

Two schools in Port Vila have re-opened -- the first signs of normality for some of the 40-thousand children forced out of their homes.

 

Other schools are still serving as a shelter.

 

Principal of the Manua Centre School, Melizabeth Uhi, says students are struggling without their daily classes.

 

"The schoolkids came into the school asking when will they start school. And the only answer I could give them was I'm not really sure."

 

Fresh from her quick trip to the islands, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Sky News Australia would continue to provide aid to Vanuatu for as long as it's needed.

 

"We'll work out how we can assist the government of Vanuatu in its longer term recovery. It's two main areas are agriculture and tourism and they are areas where Australia can assist."

 

 


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2 min read

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By Naomi Selvaratnam


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