HELP REBUILD THE LIVES OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

PLEASE HELP THE PEOPLE OF VANUATU RECOVER FROM CYCLONE HAROLD.

 
There are many big well-known organisations  helping the citizens of Vanuatu and doing a great job. But there is one very small organisation, The Butterfly Trust, that has been quietly helping the people of Vanuatu.

Since 2009 Butterfly Trust has been working in collaboration with local people and other agencies to make life better for Ni-Van ( the people of Vanuatu).  There main focus has been in health and education but now with the devastation caused by Cyclone Harold and the threat of COVID-19 they have turned their focus to help coordinate the recovery efforts.




I had the privilege of seeing first-hand the amazing work Butterfly Trust does when I went to Vanuatu in 2016 on a 12 month volunteer assignment with the Ministry of Health and ended up staying for 3 years. This is not unusual.  

Vanuatu is an island paradise. The people of Vanuatu (ni-Vanuatu) and their culture, traditions and way of life are captivating, and a constant reminder of what really is important in life.  In Vanuatu the uncompromising commitment to family and community first is evident in all aspects of their lives. Even more so when faced with the impact and devastation of a natural disaster like Cyclone Harold.




(Grateful for emergency supplies)
 
Yet behind its natural beauty, friendly people and relaxed lifestyle Vanuatu faces enormous challenges and threats such as natural disasters like cyclones, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and climate change and underdevelopment in many areas such as health and education. In fact, Vanuatu is ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters. 

Yet, despite living with these threats and challenges their generosity of spirit and their willingness to help others never falters as was demonstrated earlier this year when Vanuatu government sent funds to help Australia bush-fire relief.



In 2015 Cyclone Pam devastated Port Vila and the recovery from that has taken years. Just 5 years on in April this year Cyclone Harold ripped through Vanuatu devastating several islands and leaving families and whole communities without shelter, food, clean water and sanitation. Schools and health facilities have been destroyed and whole crops wiped out.


The recovery efforts have been further hampered by the threat of COVID-19 and travel restrictions and safety measures have created further delays in getting essential materials, resources and supplies to the remote and rural islands and affected communities. About three quarters of the population (approximately 280,000 total pop.) live in rural areas and on remote islands.




Shelter, food, water medical supplies and building equipment and materials are desperately needed. 

(Hand-washing stations have been set up to ensure proper hygiene)

Reports indicate that the west coast of Espirito Santo, Penama, Malampa, Ambrym, Pentecost and Malo are some of the worst affected by the cyclone.   

 Funds raised  will be used to replace, rebuild  and provide;

·         shelter and food items
·         hygiene kits,
·         water, community water tanks
·         medical supplies,
·         tools and power sources (torches, solar lamps)
·         community water tanks
·         rebuild schools and buy new school equipment and help rebuild health facilities
·         generators
(Local school destroyed by Cyclone Harold)

(Dr Basil Leodoro and other local ni-van people have worked tirelessly to help rebuild lives)

To check out the fantastic work that Butterfly Trust are doing go to their website or Facebook page.

Website  https://www.butterflytrust.org/  or go to their Facebook page. The Butterfly Trust. 

Thank you