“Today, on the orders of Russia’s government, two Il-76 [transport] aircraft took off from Ramenskoye [town] in Moscow Region and headed to Vanuatu with humanitarian aid cargo on board. Its total weight is over 60 [metric] tons,” the press release read.
According to the United Nations (UN) estimates, the cyclone Pam that hit the archipelago on March 13 killed at least 17 people and left 65,000 homeless. A total of 166,000 people, almost two thirds of Vanuatu's population, have been affected by the natural disaster.
Following the disaster, Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale urged the international community to assist in recovery of the storm-affected country. Several countries, in particular Australia and New Zealand, have already pledged to allocate a total of $9.5 million.
