Homes destroyed in Vanuatu
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PORT VILA, Vanuatu — The homes of 10 Latter-day Saint families in Vanuatu were destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Ivy Feb. 26, when winds up to 125 mph wreaked havoc on the Pacific Island chain.
No missionaries or Church members were injured in the storm, which caused two deaths and several injuries in the community. The storm, which included flying debris, also damaged 62 homes of Latter-day Saint families. The Red Cross estimated that about 2,500 families on the island were seriously affected by the cyclone, with many houses destroyed or severely damaged.
Approximately 1,100 Church members live in Vanuatu. On the island of Tanna, three temporary meetinghouses received roof damage, and on the island of West Ambae, a missionary apartment was damaged.
Two containers of clothing and medical supplies recently sent to Vanuatu by the Church for another purpose will be used to respond to the cyclone.
More than 150 people — including members of other churches — spent the night of the storm in the LDS chapel in Port Vila. Several missionaries gathered at the meetinghouse and held a fireside with those staying in the building, said Sister Olivia King, a public affairs missionary in the Pacific Islands Area.
Fiji Suva Mission President Laron P. Woolley reported that all crops on the island were destroyed, leaving food in short supply. Members who lost banana crops, for example, have only a limited supply of food.
