The worst tropical storm in 13 years hit Vanuatu and New Zealand on March 13, 2015. Weather.com reports the level five Cyclone Pam could be the worst storm in the island chain’s history. With winds as high as 165 mph, much of the country was completely flattened. Deseret News reported approximately 90 percent of Vanuatu’s buildings had been damaged in the storm. “It’s really bad,” said Carlos Rem, a sophomore studying psychology from Fiji, whose brother and sister both served LDS missions in Vanuatu. “One of my teachers knows someone in Vanuatu, and he has tried to get a hold of him since the storm but still hasn’t heard back,” Rem said. “It’s scary.” Deseret News reported Vanuatu Port Vila Mission President Larry Brewer tried to contact missionaries to see if they were unharmed, but power lines were down making communication a problem. Seven days after the initial storm, he made contact with the 11 missionaries serving on the island of Tanna. “I have a friend serving in Tanna,” said senior Litia Adam from Australia, majoring in Pacific Island Studies. All missionaries in both the Vanuatu and surrounding missions have been accounted for and are being aided, according to Deseret News.The church sent a small plane the day after contact was made with the missionaries on Tanna, sending food and materials to help those who were suffering due to the traumatic and extensive damage. The church’s plane will be used to transport the 11 missionaries back to Port Vila. Members and non-members alike have gathered in meeting houses all around Vanuatu, where the church has provided food and is assisting in rebuilding the community. Mormon Helping Hands in New Zealand have put together 2,000 food boxes to send to Vanuatu. The boxes will be flown to Vanuatu throughout the week to help the families recovering from the storm, reports Deseret News. On March 20, Pacific Area President of the Church, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, gave an update on the storm’s victims, saying, “It is deeply reassuring to hear reports that people are calm, working to recover and rebuild, and are helping their neighbors. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are absolutely committed to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in Vanuatu as they grieve, recover and rebuild. We are here for the long haul.” He said thus far, reports are showing there have been no fatalities among the members of the church. Uploaded March 25, 2015
Writer: Ali Apgood
