The government has announced a $26 million aid package to help Vanuatu recover from Cyclone Pam.
A child plays in the sand amid debris from Cyclone Pam. Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
Vanuatu faces a huge reconstruction bill after it was devastated by the cyclone three months ago.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the package was aimed at Vanuatu's tourism industry, which accounted for 20 percent of its economy and employed 26 percent of its workers.
Of the $26m, $16m would be spent on infrastructure development, focussing on the Port Vila waterfront and its cruise ship precinct.
The remaining $10m was allocated to an international marketing campaign, to increase tourism and employment opportunities.
Mr McCully said the money would also be used to make local infrastructure more resilient to future storms and extreme weather events.
He also promised more money for education, water and sanitation once Vanuatu presented an overall recovery plan.