Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman Photo: Supplied
Vanuatu's prime minister is challenging media reports that he demanded donors channel their post-cyclone aid funds into government coffers.
In a statement he says he wants to assure everyone his government fully appreciates the support and cooperation it has had from donors and stakeholders to date.
Joe Natuman says he has not demanded donors allocate their money to the National Disaster Management Office but he says the government does want funding to be more transparent and coordinated.
He says as such, his government is aiming to find a better way to mobilise future donor assistance during a national calamity such as Cyclone Pam.
Mr Natuman says the government also feels there is a need to manage its relationship with NGOs and other humanitarian organisations better to eliminate unwarranted frictions that often occur during the response to disasters.