A devastating cyclone in the South Pacific Island state of Vanuatu has left half the population homeless and an unknown number dead. A Category 5 storm, Cyclone Pam flattened buildings and washed away roads and bridges. Speaking during a visit to Japan just as the storm hit, Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale appealed for international aid.

Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale: “I stand to appeal on behalf of the government and people of Vanuatu to the global community to give a lending hand in responding these very current calamities that have struck us. Fellow heads of state, governments and development partners, we have all experienced our form of disaster at one time or another. Today, we appeal for your assistance.”

Lonsdale says climate change is “contributing to the disaster,” with global warming fueling extreme weather and stronger cyclones. We will have more on this story after headlines.