United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon on Saturday (March 14) feared widespread damage on the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu after it was hit by a powerful cyclone.
Winds of up to 250 kilometres an hour (155 mph) ripped metal roofs off houses and downed trees on Saturday, as relief agencies braced for a major rescue operation and unconfirmed reports said dozens had already died.
Witnesses described sea surges of up to eight metres and flooding throughout the capital, Port Vila, after the category five cyclone named Pam hit the country late on Friday (March 13).
Speaking at the U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan, Ban said he feared the destruction could be widespread.
“Tropical cyclone Pam is bearing down on Vanuatu and beyond. Overnight the eye of the storm passed very close to the capital Port Vila. We are not yet clear on the impact and scope of the disaster but we fear the destruction and damage could be widespread,” Ban said.
Ban added that he had spoken to Vanuatu’s President, Baldwin Lonsdale, to convey his condolences.
“I just met the president of Vanuatu this morning and I conveyed my personal – and on the behalf of the United Nations our – deepest condolences as well as our strong commitment and solidarity to the people of Vanuatu,” Ban said.
Cyclone Pam is the most severe storm to hit the island nation since 1987. Aid officials said it was comparable in strength to Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013 and killed more than 6,000 people.
Reuters/TV Tokyo
