Hi All,
As many may recall, Vanuatu was hit by a Category 5 hurricane on March 13 leaving widespread destruction and damage. Almost all of the 83 islands had damage, with the central and southern islands taking a direct hit. Over 50% of the 300,000 population is estimated to be without homes, farms, gardens, and fresh water supply. Many of the islands have turned from lush green forests and farms to brown denuded islands and barren farm lands. It is estimated it will take until June/July for the farms to start producing again.
Several people have written to us asking how they can help and what our plans are. We still intend to cruise Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Australia for the 2015 cruising season.
For the past several weeks Kathy and I have been doing research and discussing bringing supplies to Vanuatu with several relief organizations. There are many of the larger organizations like Red Cross and UNICEF which are actively involved as well as many governments like Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. It is estimated that Vanuatu needs in excess of $40 million in immediate (next 2-3 months) aid to just help people survive over the next few months. And there will still be need after that. The Vanuatu government is being given a lot of credit trying to coordinate and control the relief efforts. That is their way to ensure aid goes to where it is needed and to prevent the corruption that has happened in so many of the world’s other disasters.
After much deliberation, we have decided the best fit for us, given our circumstances, is probably to help bring aid supplies to Vanuatu aboard Mystic Moon. All the supplies brought must first be given to the government and they will coordinate the distribution. We may also be involved in that distribution…..We’ll see what the need is once we arrive. The organizations we have looked hard at are:
Butterfly Trust: http://www.butterflytrust.org/
Oceanwatch: http://www.oceanswatch.org/
Sea Mercy: http://www.seamercy.org/
We have ended up working with Butterfly Trust, as it is a smaller organization already working within these remote islands. We have been communicating with Dave with the Butterfly Trust and are now confirming the logistics and supplies that we will carry. Here are two links for the Butterfly Trust, the first one a TC Pam update and the second one a donation page:
http://www.butterflytrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Butterfly-Trust-Cy=
clone-Pam-Update_31-Mar-2015.pdf
https://givealittle.co.nz/org/butterflytrust
We know of about 20+ cruising boats leaving New Zealand, Australia and Fiji that are participating with the various organizations to bring in relief supplies or are making a longer term commitment to help rebuild schools, homes, et al. It is important to remember that every little bit helps. One of the constant themes from the aid organizations and the people in Vanuatu is to please come to Vanuatu and help rebuild the economy by spending money in their country. Rebuilding their tourism industry is hugely important to their economy and to making the people self-sufficient again. To that end, we are greatly looking forward to keeping Vanuatu in our cruising plans this year and also welcoming our son and daughter-in-law to cruise there with us.
Please note we are not asking for contributions for our small personal mission to Vanuatu, but we certainly encourage anyone reading this message to consider contributing to the Vanuatu relief efforts. This far-flung Pacific nation desperately needs your help in rebuilding their islands, homes, and lives.
Thank you, and please feel free to email us directly if we can help with any questions or further information.
Hope all is well!
John and Kathy
