Vanuatu urgently needs funding to continue basic humanitarian relief efforts in response to Cyclone Pam, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Vanuatu said Friday. "I would like to congratulate the Government and people of Vanuatu for their tremendous efforts to overcome the devastating impact of the cyclone," Osnat Lubrani said as she returned from an assessment mission there. "However, there is no time for complacency. Basic life-saving assistance in support of local efforts is still urgently needed." With roughly 110,000 people with no access to safe drinking water and with 6,000 people still living in makeshift or temporary shelters in the most affected provinces, Lubrani urged partners to keep up their support while also investing in recovery and reconstruction. "Vanuatu will need a lot of help in rebuilding infrastructure, replanting of crops and providing communities with employment opportunities as the country gradually transitions to long-term recovery," Lubrani said.
