Ten weeks after Tropical Cyclone Pam devastated Vanuatu, the Australian Government continues to support the relief effort with a new funding agreement for the World Health Organization (WHO) to support Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health and the health sector response. The funding is part of the Australian Government’s 4.3 billion vatu contribution to the relief effort, and will boost WHO support to the Ministry of Health as it continues to respond to public health needs.
“As a long-term partner and friend of Vanuatu, Australia is committed to working with the Vanuatu Government and development partners to support Vanuatu’s long-term recovery from Cyclone Pam. Australian funding will be directed at key priority areas, which includes the health sector to ensure the provision of critical services to ni-Vanuatu,” said Simon Flores, Deputy Australian High Commissioner and Counsellor (Development Cooperation).
WHO and the Ministry of Health will together strengthen the existing health care system, monitor disease and respond to potential outbreaks. The support will help build local capacity and meet the needs of the most vulnerable, including women and children.
“WHO is committed to assisting the Ministry of Health to ensure Vanuatu’s health system is able to sustain an appropriate level of response and treatment to those affected by Cyclone Pam,” said Dr Jacob Kool, Head of the WHO office in Vanuatu.
“A strong health care system will ensure preparedness for future disaster, and the ability to respond quickly to public health emergencies,” he added.
In the coming months, the health sector response will transition from the emergency phase to the longer-term recovery phase. Lessons learned from the Cyclone Pam emergency response will be central to planning for future public health responses in the event of a disaster.
The Vanuatu Government has thanked the Australian Government, WHO and other development partners for their continued support.
“As health systems are still not back to normal, sustained assistance from our friends and partners will ensure that we can restore those systems quickly and continue to provide quality health services to the people of Vanuatu,” said Viran Tovu, Coordinator of the Cyclone Response Team at the Ministry of Health.