"We have to face it and I think all of us here
at UNICEF are well equipped to respond."
Despite the ongoing work to get much-needed supplies to affected areas, Eric says one of the biggest challenges has been the lack of attention around the disaster.
While last week’s cyclone caused just as much devastation as Cyclone Pam in 2015, Eric says the concern around COVID-19 means there has been little to no media attention on the recent climate crisis.
“Everyone is concerned with COVID-19, so attention and resource mobilisation is more difficult than it used to be,” Eric says, adding UNICEF is responding to the cyclone and COVID-19 measures in an integrated way by strengthening health systems and repairing damaged water infrastructure.
“You can’t control a natural disaster. The global pandemic situation does make it more difficult, but it is just part of the reality.
"We have to face it and I think all of us here at UNICEF are well equipped to respond.”