Save the Children: Up up to 75,000 children in cyclone devastated Vanuatu could be in desperate need of food

Aid agency Save the Children has said up to 75,000 children in cyclone devastated Vanuatu could be in desperate need of food, water and shelter.

Tom Skirrow from Save the Children in Vanuatu says that children are always amongst the most vulnerable following a devastating natural disaster.

"This disaster has left tens of thousands of children vulnerable and we are particularly concerned for their welfare and safety in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam."

"Children are going to be very afraid, they are going to be hungry and some of them may even have become separated from their families.

Keeping children safe is as important as ensuring they’re fed and sheltered, so in the coming days we will establish safe places for children in evacuation centres. While it may not sound life-saving, it is absolutely essential that children be cared for in safe places. We will provide this care as we have done in other emergencies around the world."

Today and during the early part of next week, Save the Children’s team in Vanuatu will be bolstered by a team of seven international disaster response specialists including experts in health, shelter, livelihood support as well as water, sanitation and communications. Once in Vanuatu they will team up with Save the Children aid workers already there to assess the damage before mounting an urgent relief operation.?