Cyclone Ivy - Aftermath

Aftermath

The local Red Cross offices in Port Vila and Luganville prepared general relief supplies before the storm's arrival, including tents, tool kits, and first aid units. By four days after the cyclone's passage, the main wharf in Port Vila was re-opened and the two sunken boats were removed. Additionally, the evacuees were allowed to return to their homes, and communications between the various islands were restored. The Red Cross distributed various relief supplies to the affected citizens, including candles, matches, water, and blankets. By about two weeks after the storm, about 30,000 household relief packages were distributed. The Vanuatu government allocated VT25 million (2004 VUV, $236,000 2004 USD) for the affected citizens. Overall, the cyclone severely affected the daily lives of the Vanuatu citizens. On Tanna island, the cyclone's passage produced a malaria outbreak.

In the immediate aftermath, the New Zealand Red Cross provided $10,000 (2004 NZD) for essential relief supplies. In addition, the New Zealand government provided $70,000 for assistance in the most affected areas, after the country's Air Force dispatched a plane over Vanuatu to determine the extent of damage. The Government of Australia similarly sent a helicopter reconnaissance mission to determine damage, as well as two planes with $200,000 (2004 AUD) in relief supplies, including 2,400 tarps, 2,600 water containers, and 5,200 packets of water purification tablets. The French government also sent a helicopter and assistance as per the 1992 FRANZ Agreement between New Zealand, Australia, and France.

Due to the severity of damage wrought by the cyclone, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Ivy following its usage and replaced it with Irene. Ivy was retired along with earlier Cyclone Heta; the two were the only named storms to form within the basin that season.

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