East Tanna residents in Vanuatu urgently need following two tropical cyclones and now acid rain from Mount Yasur which is an active volcano.
The Vanuatu Daily Post quoted Rita Kelema, who is seven months pregnant, as saying the majority of locally grown food has been damaged.
Images show some houses badly damaged.
Trucks are taking water to impacted residents and the French Army has been reponding there, handing out essential supplies. Australia and New Zealand have also provided aid.
Meanwhile, Save The Children Vanuatu is working to ensure the thousands of people affected by the cyclones get vital assistance.
The charity’s Pacific manager Kim Koch said her organisation is focusing on the needs of children, both in the short and long term.
“Right now what children need are hygiene kits, shelter materials and that’s really just buckets and tarps – making sure that families have something to help them get their house back in order and to get access to safe water, to be able to wash food and wash themselves.”
Koch said they were working with the Ministry of Education to get schools re-opened.
Chinese assistance
The Government of China has given $US500,000 to aid recovery efforts in Vanuatu after cyclones Judy and Kevin.
Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau received the donation from the Chinese Government Special Envoy for Pacific Island Countries Affairs, Qian Bo, last week.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reports this contribution is additional to the $US100,000 donated by the Chinese Red Cross Society.
The Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu said this assistance will go a long way in supporting the people of Vanuatu during these difficult times.
The initial estimate of the recovery cost is estimated at six billion vatu, or just under $US50 million.
Coffins exposed
Six coffins were reportedly visible at the surface of graves in Port Vila, after Cyclone Kevin smashed through Vanuatu.
A family member expressed shock at the sight, and alleged that it was due to a lack of extra effort to properly maintain the cemetery.
The Port Vila City Council said it was not aware of damage, but claimed the coffins surfaced due to heavy rainfall during the cyclone.
It said this was not the first time graves had opened during such weather.
The council confirmed that the coffins would be reburied.
Source: Radio New Zealand