By DANNY BUTTLER
THE devastation of Cyclone Pam has hit home in Kooweerup where asparagus pickers from Vanuatu are regular seasonal workers.
Manks Road farmers Frank and Donna Bombaci have been “stressing out“ as they try and find information about people they know on remote islands.
Feeling helpless, the Bombacis decided to set up an appeal so money can be sent to Vanuatu to help its devastated population.
The United Nations has estimated 166,000 people had been affected by the cyclone on 22 islands, with thousands in evacuation centres and tens of thousands in need of temporary shelter.
At least 11 people have died.
The men who came out to Kooweerup returned home with enough money to build solid houses, but most buildings were unable to withstand the destructive force of Pam.
“One of the guys that I called two days ago is from the island of Malacula and we have been really stressing out about him,“ Mr Bombaci said.
“I asked him how he was and he said ‘I have no home’ and he started to cry.”
The story of devastation has been repeated thousands of times across the remote Pacific archipelago, which was struck by the category five storm on 13 March.
Mr Bombaci said the local community had embraced the Vanuatu seasonal pickers, not only for their tireless work ethic but for their friendly ways.
“They have saved the local asparagus industry by coming out here and working … so now we can give something back,” he said.
“Just please dig deep if you can. They just didn’t deserve what has happened to them.”
Stories from Vanuatu and surrounding islands are among the worst to emerge since the devastation of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
“Decimation is the only word for what has happened here,” said Ms Damon from Tanna Island’s western coast.
“You cannot see a leaf on a tree. What used to be a green island, is now brown.
“All crops have been destroyed, all traditional housing is gone. People are without water. This is a grave situation.”
Donations can be made to the Vanuatu and South Pacific Cyclone Recovery Appeal at any Bendigo Bank branch.
