The inconvenient truth about Vanuatu

It's still chaotic, but early estimates are that 70 per cent of the population in Vanuatu has been left homeless overnight, and more than 24 people have lost their lives.

How would Australia rebuild and recover from that? It's impossible to even imagine. And it's not just Vanuatu. Kiribati and Tuvalu are also affected.

It almost goes without saying that our immediate and first thoughts, priority and responses as Australians should be to reach out to our Pacific neighbours and help them rebuild and recover in in whatever large and small ways we can. In fact, many Australians are already doing that, including our government.

If you would like to contribute, we are told these organisations could definitely use your help:

Red Cross
Oxfam
Action Aid
CARE
ChildFund Australia
Save the Children
Act for Peace
UNICEF

While you're considering who to donate to, why not consider getting active by joining a climate advocacy group in the region like 350 Pacific who work on the ground day-in and day-out to bring awareness to the issue of climate change and its dramatic effects in the region?

The unfortunate truth is that, on its own, emergency aid won't be enough – not for Vanuatu, or any other country at the frontline of the threats created by our changing climate.

As Australian citizens, we have powerful role to play in building a better future for the Pacific. The Pacific region is vulnerable to climate change, and many developing Pacific nations are among the loudest voices calling for global climate action. Yet our current Government remains inactive.

We've seen Australia's foreign aid budget cut time and time again, because there is no public backlash, when it is.

After you donate, why not advocate for lasting change by calling your local MP? Tell them you've donated to help provide emergency services – you also care about lasting change and want our government to lift its game on foreign aid and climate action.

First time calling?

Here's what to expect:

• Ring, ring! A staffer will answer the phone. If you don't get through straight away, wait a moment and then try again.
• Introduce yourself. Who you are? Where you live? What do you do?
• Explain the reason for your call. Tell the staffer that you want to express your concerns about the need for Australia to do more when it comes to foreign aid and addressing the adverse effects of climate change.
• Ask for a commitment. Ask the staffer if your representative will commit to standing up to increase Australia's foreign aid budget and act to tackle climate change.
• Thank them. Say thanks to the staffer for taking the time to listen to you.

Remember to be polite! Be assertive and make your point, but dont't be aggressive. They will be much more responsive if you are respectful – remember, the aim is to encourage your MP to take action.