Cyclone Pam claims 24 lives in Vanuatu

People commute on boats after Cyclone Pam to Port Vila, capital city of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu March 17, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

SUVA - Tropical Cyclone Pam, which tore through Vanuatu over the weekend, has so far claimed 24 lives and 3,300 people have been displaced, according to a report published Monday by the United Nations.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in the report that there are 24 confirmed fatalities including 11 from Tafea, eight from Efate and five from Tanna, and there are 3, 300 people sheltering in 37 evacuation centers.

The report also said radio and telephone communication with outer islands is yet to be reestablished.

The Chinese embassy in Vanuatu on Monday handed over the humanitarian assistance of 100,000 US dollars from the Red Cross Society of China to the Vanuatu Red Cross.