The archipelago, which has a population of nearly 300,000 scattered over 65 inhabited islands, was hit by the devastating Cyclone Pam on March 13. Winds of 320 kilometers per hour wreaked havoc on the tiny islands, killing 17 people and leaving an estimated 65,000 homeless.

Two days after the storm, Vanuatu, a former French colony, declared a state of emergency, and the nation's president, Baldwin Lonsdale, called for international aid at a conference in Japan attended by UN agencies and the Israeli relief agency IsraAID.

IsraAID responded immediately, sending an emergency relief team to the area with supplies of food and water. The team traveled to the village of Eratap to meet the president and assess the situation, and also spent time in the capital, Port Vila, to coordinate efforts with government officials and UN agencies.

On Sunday, IsraAID departed with additional aid for the remote island of Tongoa in the Shepherds Islands Group after an appeal by John Amos, a representative of the island who told IsraAID that the island has no food, no clean water and no supplies, and that three children died in just one night.

"There are so many islands here; it's a logistical nightmare," said an IsraAID official. "The best thing we can do right now is respond to each appeal as it comes and try and reach as many people as possible. Time is against us but we will do whatever we can to help."

"The cyclone howled so strongly, our children were terrified," said Mac, a resident of Eratap, who told IsraAID how he and his wife, Katie, and two children, Kancy and Clara, managed to survive the storm sheltered in a local church. (Photo by IsraAID)

During the cyclone, the roof of the family's home caved in, flattening their home. The family is now housed in a small, makeshift shelter.

The most urgent needs outside of the capital remain drinking water and food, but with relief efforts to remote islands hampered by lack of access and communication, IsraAID officials said the situation is becoming a race against the clock to save the lives of thousands suffering starvation and thirst.

During the coming week, more IsraAID professionals are expected to arrive in Vanuatu, as the organization continues to support local communities during this emergency.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It

US Supreme Court Says Idaho Can Enforce Ban on Child 'Sex Changes' as Lawsuit Continues

How Bidenomics Shattered the American Dream of Homeownership

Bill Aims to Stop Illegal Aliens from Squatting in US Homes

Soros-Linked NGO Distributes Flyers in Mexico Telling Illegal Immigrants to 'Vote For Biden': Report

Long-Awaited Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Mayorkas Finally Arrive in Senate

Justices Gorsuch and Alito Highlight Biden Admin's Glaring Double Standard during J6 Hearing

Louisiana House Passes Bill That Requires All Schools Receiving State Funds to Display the Ten Commandments Inside Classrooms

NPR Suspends Editor Who Blew Whistle on Left-Wing Takeover of Newsroom

Sri Lanka: Pro-Family Activists Successfully Derail Effort to Turn Country Pro-LGBT, But Now There's a New Fight in Parliament over Broad 'Gender' Bills

50,000 Join Polish March for Life in the Midst of Government Push to Overturn Abortion Ban

Hamas Remains Obstacle to Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Has Moved in a 'Significant Way,' US Says

Wow. Joe Biden Approved Iran's Assault on Israel 'Within Certain Limits'

'Unjust Scam': Trump Says He Will Likely Miss Son Barron's Graduation Due to 'Conflicted and Corrupt' Judge

Maine Governor Allows National Popular Vote Legislation to Become Law

Election Integrity: Trump, Mike Johnson Back Bill Assuring Only US Citizens Vote in Elections

Fox News Host Lawrence Jones Delivers Powerful Gospel Message: I'm 'Proud to Be a Believer'

California Mom Wants Child Castrated Without Father's Consent