Locally, the Red Cross will be accepting donations at the Narooma Red Cross Hub (Shop 4/114 Wagonga St Narooma, opposite the Commonwealth Bank) and the Batemans Bay Red Cross Branch will be collecting for the Appeal at their “Red Cross Calling” table at Stocklands in Batemans Bay on the next two Saturdays from 8.30am to 3.30pm.

“We are extremely concerned for the safety and wellbeing of tens of thousands of people as one of the most intense cyclones to ever hit any Pacific country continues to batter Vanuatu,” said Peter Walton, Head of International Programs at Australian Red Cross.

“There is widespread damage and destruction of homes in the capital Port Vila and across the whole country. Flooding is also affecting many areas.

“Red Cross in Vanuatu reports that the humanitarian needs are enormous. Shelter, food and water are urgent priorities right now. We’re on the ground helping in Vanuatu.

“Much of Vanuatu’s population is still in the middle of a terrifying ordeal and we need to urgently assess the the scale of the humanitarian needs and get essential aid to people as an urgent priority.

“Evacuation centres and other safe buildings are crowded with people seeking shelter, but people are also using traditional methods of protection, sheltering in caves in Erromango Island and parts of the country.

“Red Cross continues to work closely with national and local authorities, right across Vanuatu in this huge disaster. Communications are down in much of the country but Red Cross is doing everything possible to help those in need across Vanuatu today and in the weeks to come.

“The Appeal will help Red Cross deliver urgent aid – from providing food, water and shelter to preventing disease outbreaks”

“We ask all Australians to please consider making a donation to the Cyclone Pam Vanuatu 2015 Appeal to help the tens of thousands of people affected by this devastating storm,” Mr Walton said.

People can make a secure online donation at redcross.org.au or make a donation via credit card by phoning 1800 811 700.