The first instalment of funds has made its way from the SVD AUS Province to cyclone-devastated Vanuatu and is already making a difference to the lives of the local people who have lost so much.

Mission Secretary, Fr Truc Quoc Phan SVD, was accompanied to Port Vila by Fr Olivier Noclam SVD, who is from Vanuatu, and then made his way to outlying Tanna Island, which was one of the areas worst hit by Cyclone Pam in March.

“This was the worst hit area,” Fr Truc says. “About 90 per cent of people don’t have houses now. All the trees are bent and without leaves and even the local church had its roof blown off.

“It’s a miracle that only five people living on Tanna Island died in this terrible cyclone. But the people there are living in terrible conditions. They don’t have electricity, safe water, or reasonable shelters. It’s truly terrible for them.”

Fr Truc says his visit was designed to take a “first look” at the situation and work out what aid is most urgently needed.

With no shops operating on Tanna Island, Fr Truc and Fr Olivier ordered the necessary stock from Port Vila, but found shops there were also out of stock, because of the great need.

“Luckily, we had a relative of Fr Olivier working in a warehouse in Port Vila who eventually helped us order equipment such as nails and tin roofing, and arranged for it to be sent to the people of the parish on Tanna Island,” he says.

“I’m hoping that later this year we might be able to go back there and rebuild the roof of the church.

“But for this visit, we took $20,000 of money to provide quick relief for the people.

“Our fundraising campaign for the people of Vanuatu is continuing and we hope to return sometime in July to take a second distribution of funds to help people rebuild their lives.

“We can’t help everybody, which is very frustrating, but we do whatever we can and the people are very, very grateful for the funds that have been raised.”

If you wish to donate to the SVD Vanuatu Disaster Appeal, you can do so securely by clicking here, or by mail to Locked Bag 3, Epping, NSW, 1710.