In the wake of Cyclone Pam and its impact across the Pacific region, particularly the country of Vanuatu, Arup has mobilised a Disaster Response Team (DRT) coordinated from the Australasia Region, with support from the whole of Arup as deemed necessary.
While news of the impact on many of the more remote communities within the region is just coming to light, what is clear is that the devastation is significant and will have a major effect on the people of Vanuatu for many years to come.
In addition to assembling a DRT, drawn from country managers, Arup International Development (AID), the Community Engagement leadership, HR and Marketing, we’ve donated a total of $25,000 to humanitarian agencies RedR Australia, Save the Children and Habitat for Humanity plus our staff are also engaged in raising funds.
We are also reviewing the potential for Emergency Assignments and deployment should these be required and have initiated a Needs Assessment, supported by AID.
Over time we will set up a technical assistance fund and look to support relief and reconstruction efforts though both our pro bono activities, our partners and any wider opportunities that present themselves. We are already in contact with a number of agencies such as Habitat for Humanity, MapAction and RedR Australia, and this could extend to other agencies in due course.
Please help us to make a difference by donating money and sharing the donation links with your networks. Funds are urgently required to provide emergency supplies and send more experts into Vanuatu to assist with the response. We need your help to spread the word.
Links to donation sites
RedR Australia Cyclone Pam Vanuatu Emergency Appeal
Save the Children Cyclone Pam Emergency Response
Habitat for Humanity Disaster Response Appeal
Other links
OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Response to Tropical Cyclone Pam http://www.unocha.org/top-stories/all-stories/response-tropical-cyclone-pam
Source: OCHA/ReliefWeb - All other images courtesy of UNICEF Pacific via Flickr