On March 13, 2015, Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 storm, struck Vanuatu, an archipelago of over 80 islands in the South Pacific with a population of about 270,000 people. The cyclone’s eye passed near Efate Island, where the capital, Port Vila, is located, with sustained winds up to 160 miles per hour.<\/p>\n
The storm impacted 188,000 people — more than half of Vanuatu’s population — across all six provinces. The southern provinces of Tafea and Shefa were hardest hit, with 50–90% of shelters destroyed. Most families in Vanuatu at the time of the disaster lived in rural, agricultural communities with homes made of wood and mud, which were highly vulnerable to storms and flooding.<\/p>\n
Thanks to early warning systems, most residents were able to seek safe shelter, keeping the death toll<\/a><\/strong> at 24. The cyclone, however, caused significant damage to food stocks, water sources, and crops, leaving communities hungry and vulnerable.<\/p>\nCyclone Pam: Facts, FAQs, and how to help<\/h2>\n