New York Times: Vanuatu: Cyclone Toll Rises
“The cyclone that lashed the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu over the weekend killed at least 24 people, a United Nations office said, while on Tuesday relief workers said initial glimpses of the devastation on remoter islands indicated the death toll could rise, perhaps sharply…” (Buckley, 3/16).

U.N. News Centre: As U.N. steps up aid efforts, Ban promises ‘necessary action’ to assist cyclone-hit Vanuatu
“With United Nations relief agencies stepping up their response in Vanuatu after the country was hit by Cyclone Pam, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said [Monday] that the event ‘tragically underscored’ the importance of global efforts on disaster risk reduction…” (3/16).

Wall Street Journal: Cyclone Pam Vanuatu Death Toll Rises to 24
“…The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 24 had been confirmed dead since the storm slammed into the small South Pacific country over the weekend, but authorities and aid agencies still haven’t been able to communicate with the many of the islands outside of Efate, where the capital, Port Vila, is located…” (Craymer, 3/16).

WHO Western Pacific Region: WHO responds to health needs caused by Cyclone Pam
“… ‘We are working closely with our partners to get the people of Vanuatu what they need as quickly as possible to respond to this devastating cyclone,’ said Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. ‘We have activated our emergency operations center and put a support team in place to assess needs and deploy critical resources to help in the response’…” (3/16).