Huge devastation in Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam hits. Please help them if you can

_81641987_026312141

The Wonder List team with men from Rah Island dressed up to perform the snake dance
The Wonder List team with men from Rah Island dressed up to perform the snake dance

IMGP5243

The island nation of Vanuatu is a very special place and one that became special to myself and the rest of “The Wonder List” team when we filmed there in November for our premiere episode of the new series.

It’s been almost two weeks since that episode went out and for most people it was the first time they had heard of the country and seen how magical it is.  Vanuatu is full of some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Now it is in the news for the wrong reason as I am sure many of you know.

Cyclone Pam hit yesterday with winds up to 200mph causing massive devastation and an unknown death toll which is feared to be in the dozens._81636005_new-cyclone-map

This is a very poor nation with little infrastructure in most of the islands, most don’t even have proper roads let alone hospitals. The cyclone has reported flattened whole villages. There are confirmed deaths in the capital of Port Villa but there is no word from the other islands which is not surprising given the strength of this storm and the very poor communications on the islands. Very few people have phones so it’s going to be days before we find out the true devastation this cyclone has done to Vanuatu.

They need our help for the immediate relief and most likely for long term aid, as it’s going to take a long time for these people to recover from this. If you can spare anything to help please consider donating to one of the many organisations who have mounted campaigns for help. You can see a list of them and updates on the situation there on the CNN Impact Your World page.

Below are some videos/ clips from the show and some photos I took whilst there to remind you what a magical place it is. I just hope all of these wonderful people are safe and whatever help they need the can get as quickly as possible.

Tanna Island where the Yakel Village is based it apparently the worst hit of all the island. This is terrible news and we wait to hear more and especially about these beautiful people below.

IMGP4473

The Wonder List: Yakel Village, Vanuatu from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

IMGP5475

IMGP4329

IMGP4538

IMGP5218
_BO16812
IMGP4291-2 IMGP4291
IMGP4534
IMGP5558 IMGP4510

Leave a Reply