Dragonfly
UPDATE:
After a two week disaster relief mobilization effort in Vanuatu by two yachts, (officially acknowledged by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) water, food and medical supplies were airlifted to the most devastated islands in the remote islands.
YachtAid Global is emphasizing the time–sensitive nature of this crisis: resources are needed immediately to address both aid/sustenance as well as longer term developmental programs.
UPDATE:
M/Y Dragonfly has arrived in Vanuatu. The yacht arrived in the region early Saturday morning after a 1600 nautical mile trek spanning nearly four days.
The yacht and her crew have been tasked by the Vanuatu government with supplying aid and providing a medical response to the Shepherd Islands, just north east of Efate where Port Vila is located. This area has seen 80-100% of all villages destroyed and has no access to fresh water, food or shelter.
Captain Mike Gregory said: “DRAGONFLY has extensively cruised the beautiful and remote areas of Vanuatu over the past 2 years. We were shocked and saddened to see the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam, and we know that the resources we have onboard can make a huge difference and will ultimately save lives.”
Original Story:
The 239-foot Dragonfly has been deployed, under her owner’s orders, to assist in relief efforts following Cyclone Pam’s devastation of Vanuatu last week, according to Y.CO.
Dragonfly will transport aid, search-and-rescue and medical teams from the Capital Port Vila to isolated communities on the outlying islands, which remain cut off following the storm.
According to Y.CO, Dragonfly will be working with YachtAid Global. Working closely with yacht owners, crew and industry professionals, YachtAid Global is dedicated to delivering humanitarian, developmental and conservation aid on board yachts to isolated and underprivileged coastal communities worldwide.
Cyclone Pam saw wind speeds reaching 155 mph, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 11 people.
