Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 1

Alice Sam searches through the wreckage of her house the morning after Cyclone Pam

Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 2

Chief Nari (foreground) with his wife, Mary (Left) and daughter, Rebecca and granddaughter, Rahab sit amongst their gathered possessions one the site of their ruined house the morning after Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 3

Food was plentiful on the day following Cyclone Pam. Here four men carry home the meat of a cow that died in the cyclone.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 4

Sam Kulak joins the Public Works Department to clear the road in North-West Tanna following Cyclone Pam. Opening the road was a vital part of the relief effort.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 5

Rebuilding began within twenty-four hours of Cyclone Pam passing. Usually, men do the work of weaving the bamboo walls, but since the man of this family is sick, these women are doing the work.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 6

Australian soldiers on a break while camped at Tanna’s open-air courthouse.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenakel, Cyclone Pam 7

Waiting for the ship to unload.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenekel, Cyclone Pam 13

Cyclones make for a lot of laundry! Washing and drying clothes in the creek at Lenakel.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 9

The Red Cross building in Isangle didn’t do too well in Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 10

The Provincial Disaster Committee coordinated the relief work on Tanna and in TAFEA province. This information desk was the committee’s interface with the community. Here Stephen Luke responds calmly as someone expresses his frustrations.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 11

Nauka Steven fills out a form to provide the Provincial Disaster Committee with information about his community.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Iuwan, Cyclone Pam 14

In the darkness there's light, and the people can stand and fight. Aid organisations aren't the only heroes and people can work to look after their own needs. This child shows his fists as a sign that his family are still fighting.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenekel, Cyclone Pam 12

No fuel at this fuel station but a sale on rice!

Vanuatu, Tanna, Enefa, Cyclone Pam 16

Falisa Nalin helps her dad to repair their kitchen. Rebuilding dome by local people in local ways – before the cavalry arrived.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 17

Joanna O’Shea from Australian Aid in front of stockpiles of rice at the provincial office. All food distributed should have been done through the Provincial Disaster Committee under the National Disaster Management Office. This was not always adhered to and at times the Provincial Disaster Committee had to maintain a presence at the wharf ensure that supplies were directed through the correct channels.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 19

Royal Australian Navy Aircrewman, Richard Clark with MRH-90 helicopter

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 20

Australian Navy’s Richard Clark prepares Australian Aid’s Clare Backwell to fly over the island of Erromango to assess damage after Cyclone Pam

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 21

Australian Aid’s Clare Backwell ready to board an Australian Navy MRH-90 helicopter to fly over the island of Erromango to assess damage after Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 22

Members of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment of the Australian Army arrive on Tanna to respond to the damage caused by Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 23

Tasha Venables was an Australian Volunteer serving on Tanna with the Red Cross. During the response to Cyclone Pam, she worked as the liaison between the provincial government and NGOs. Here she is meeting with French military to discuss moving relief supplies to North Tanna.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 24

An Australian Army Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk helicopter takes off at Isangle after delivering members of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment to Tanna to respond to the damage caused by Cyclone Pam.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Isangle, Cyclone Pam 18

French soldiers, Corporal Tripolo Iran, Lance Corporal Michel Ken and Lance Corporal Ligny Sebastien outside the provincial government office.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenakel, Cyclone Pam 25

Aid organisations employed local people to distribute food at collection points. Here, World Vision workers are training their new recruits.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenekel, Cyclone Pam 26

Chamoun at the controls of an Australian Navy amphibious landing vehicle on Lenakel beach. The Australian Navy had hoped to use these vehicles to transport supplies and equipment, including a water-maker, from HMAS Tobruk to shore. However, they were never able to land safely.

Vanuatu, Tanna, Lenakel, Cyclone Pam 27

HMAS Tobruk standing off Lenakel waiting to unload supplies and equipment including a water-maker to assist the response to Cyclone Pam. The Australian Navy had hoped to use amphibious landing vehicles to deliver these to shore. However, that were never able to land safely.