The scale of human tragedy …cannot be calculated – CARICOM Secretary-General

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)     The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has extended its deepest condolences to the Government and people of Vanuatu over the loss of life and property and displacement of thousands of citizens due to the catastrophic effects of Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu and a number of other Pacific islands were battered by the Category 5 cyclone twelve days ago, resulting in widespread damage to agriculture, infrastructure and impacting services such as electricity and communications. According to reports  by the UN News Centre, initial  assessments of the storm’s immediate aftermath counted 17 people dead, some 65,000 homeless and 1666,000 in need urgent need of life saving assistance.

The CARICOM Secretary-General, Irwin LaRocque, in his statement, said “the scale of the human tragedy and the cost of rebuilding shattered lives and livelihoods cannot be calculated.

“… such disasters underscore the vulnerability of countries like ours and bring to the fore the reality of climate change…” he added.

Ambassador LaRocque emphasised that apart from the urgent need for food, fresh water and shelter, the task of reconstructing communities, the economy and infrastructure is one that will require immediate and long-term assistance from the international community.

The Secretary-General expressed confidence that the Government and People of Vanuatu will summon the necessary strength and resilience to overcome this calamity and redouble their efforts to continue their path to sustainable development.

The full text of the message reads:

Message:

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses its deep sympathy to the Government and people of Vanuatu over the loss of life and property and displacement of thousands of citizens due to the catastrophic effects of Cyclone Pam.

Our Member States can readily associate and empathise with Vanuatu over the devastation that is caused by these climatic events and stand in solidarity with all NiVans at this time of distress.  Disasters such as these underscore the vulnerability of countries like ours and brings to the fore the reality of climate change.

CARICOM is acutely aware of the heavy toll that loss of life takes on the people and communities of Vanuatu, particularly in these tragic circumstances.

The scale of the human tragedy and the cost of rebuilding shattered lives and livelihoods cannot be calculated.  Apart from the urgent need for food, fresh water and shelter, the task of reconstructing communities, the economy and infrastructure is one that will require immediate and long-term assistance from the international community.

Moreover, as Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the destruction and setbacks that can befall infrastructural and developmental work and progress through the overwhelming scale of natural disasters such as these is of real concern, especially given the resource constraints and the limited options available for post-disaster reconstruction, rehabilitation and diversification.

On behalf of the Caribbean Community, I extend deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.  I am confident that the Government and People of Vanuatu will summon the necessary strength and resilience to overcome this calamity and redouble their efforts to continue their path to sustainable development.