The Survivors

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Many of the buildings in Vanuatu were left destroyed

After a deadly cyclone struck several countries in The Pacific , There is growing concern that the Corona Virus -a pandemic could disrupt efforts to help The Survivors undo the Early Work to protect vulnerable communities from the infection.

Cyclone Harold, a category five storm, whipped up several island States in the region last week, killing dozens of People , flooding towns and leaving many homeless.

Even in normal times, this would be a terrible situation. But with The Threat of The Virus looming in impoverished communities, it has the potential to be a disaster.

supply routes damaged, and many People have to move, in evacuation centres, where the practice, the social distance will be almost impossible.

"In Theory , all of the Islands a pandemic plan in place, but it is one thing to have a plan and another thing to implement in practice. And if a hurricane that compromises the planning," said Dr. Colin Tukuitonga, Director of Pacific and International health at the University of Auckland.

"Both The Virus and The Cyclone is a really difficult situation, really have only exacerbated. "

incoming storm

Cyclone Harold formed from the Solomon Islands , at the beginning of April, made landfall in Vanuatu on 6. April And Then moved to the Fiji Islands and Tonga .

In Vanuatu alone, almost 160,000 People are in need of help, said the country's National Disaster Management Office.

Oxfam says that at least Two People have been damaged and died and on the day of Pentecost island, one of the Many Islands , Vanuatu, 90% of the houses and other infrastructure.

In Fiji, an estimated 10 000 People are in need of immediate help, say, the local Red Cross officers. Critical infrastructures such as energy and water supply, roads, schools, and schools have been affected.

home in Fiji were completely destroyed, were destroyed by The Cyclone

In Tonga , houses, offices and even a cemetery. Vital roads were damaged, and quays along the coast.

the biggest loss of life, a ferry with an estimated not to Travel 60 People went to sea in the Solomon Islands , despite strong winds and choppy water - defying a government warning.

at least 27 People died when they were thrown overboard.

According to local media, many of those on Board, was leaving the capital, Honiara, after the government told the People to their home Islands to return from a possible Virus lockdown.

'in A really difficult situation'

Most of the States of The Pacific Islands were praised for their first reaction to The Virus . Quick lockdowns and Travel restrictions, and the Nations relative inaccessibility means that many of them have remained free of Virus So Far .

This is important, says Dr Tukuitonga, because health systems are often not well funded and would not be able to cope with an outbreak.

"There is nowhere in the vicinity of The Number of ventilators and intensive care beds [needed for Covid-19], and they can't test for The Virus in many of these places," he told The Bbc .

"That's why your goal of The Virus is important. You went into lockdown earlier than most, Closed Borders and quarantined citizens. So, you've been pretty active. "

Among the countries hit by The Cyclone , only Fiji has some Virus -cases 16 cases So Far in a population of approximately 880,000 People . to follow

the People of the country, it was pointed out that measures such as social distancing and working from home, but a cyclone has meant that these rules need to change, not least for those who have no home from which to.

The Cyclone led to floods across cities

Many in the region have no choice but to move to evacuation centres, where social distance will be difficult to implement.

"the evacuation centers are, in General, a school or Church Hall , and you have many People in one place, because you have No Other choice," says Dr Tukuitonga.

"the People are in a confined space so, in the sense that the ideal conditions for The Virus . "

The Fiji Red Cross says There is a "focus on hygiene" in the evacuation centers.

"It is a big challenge to balance our messages, if we One Day say that People should not meet with People other than those who out of their homes. [and to encourage continued] we, the People , took refuge in evacuation centres," said Carl Lorentzen , IRFC communications manager for The Pacific region.

"We had to make some hard decisions. "

Persevere to the end

regional Director of Oxfam in The Pacific Raijeli Nicole of The Bbc , said The Cyclone has "presented to deliver serious logistical challenges, life-saving assistance, while adding to the significant economic and social toll has already in The Pacific ".

The UN children's Agency, Unicef adds that "even under ideal circumstances, and current circumstances are far from ideal - Travel and logistics across the vast Pacific region is expensive and complex".

"Vanuatu has claimed that foreigners are not introduced entry could be out of fear of The Virus , and all the humanitarian goods have strict health protocols, before they outsourced," Sheldon Yett, Unicef Pacific representative told The Bbc .

But in spite of this, some aid is still on his way.

"the support will come from Australia, New Zealand , China and The United States," said Jonathan Pryke, Director of the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands program.

And Then of course, There are the economic costs. Fiji, for Example , a country dependent on its tourism industry was struggling, even before The Cyclone .

"About 40% of Fiji's tourism GDP. People are losing their jobs because the industry is completely shut down. it is a big blow to Fiji for over A Million tourists holiday here every year," said Mr. Lorentzen .

Australian Aid is need arrived to Vanuatu

Foreign countries to step in to help in such scenarios", to reduce the economic consequences," said Mr Pryke.

The United Nations has released $2. 5m (£1. 9m) from the emergency to help the humanitarian Fund, Vanuatu.

UN emergency relief coordinator, Mark Lowcock said: "now More Than ever" at The Time was to help countries such as Vanuatu in The Face of climate-related disasters.

"this will Not only help to save lives, but it will help you to rebuild your resilience, which is essential, if you are successful in the fight against The Virus . "

People in The Pacific region, still smiling, even though he lost so much in The Cyclone

Mr. Pryke told The Bbc that "the economic impact of The Cyclone on the top of the economic consequences of Covid-19 is The Last thing these countries need".

"of the already scarce government resources will be stretched even further," He Said .

But, he has faith that the region will recover.

"Of Pacific peoples are very resilient. You are by this. "

tonga, solomon islands, coronavirus pandemic, vanuatu, fiji

Source of news: bbc.com