The Australian Government on Friday pledged an additional $4.35 million to support the Government of Vanuatu in response to Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin.
Of this amount, $3.5 million will be channelled through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and Australian Red Cross, supporting people currently in evacuation centres, and providing essential items and services to affected communities.
The Australian Government will also provide additional logistics expertise to assist the Government of Vanuatu in coordinating further assessments, responses and immediate recovery plans.
HMAS Canberra, with 600 Australian Defence Personnel, Chinook helicopters, medical facilities and humanitarian supplies, has arrived in Port Vila to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response. Furthermore, two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft are already in Vanuatu, assisting with aerial surveillance and assessments.
According to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, this deployment reinforces Australia’s long-standing commitment to disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance activities in Vanuatu and the region, while Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP, reiterated Australia’s solidarity with the people of Vanuatu during these difficult times.