The Cook Islands Vanuatu Community had a successful day fundraising for families who were affected by two category four cyclones and flooding earlier in March.

Community leader Ronnie Sakai said they had set a target of $500 starting the day by selling BBQ. They were busy getting the pre-orders cleared yesterday morning.

Sakai said they were very close to their target and thanked those who supported them.

He said they would sit together as a community and decide on how to use the funds – whether provide the funds to the communities affected or direct the funds to affected families of those based in Rarotonga.

A similar fundraiser was done for families in the past.

Sakai said there are about five Ni-Vanuatu families in Rarotonga.

“Thank you to those who have supported us. We did not expect to go this far but Kuki love is always there, thank you.”

Sakai earlier said funds would be put towards building materials, food supplies, and clothing for those who have lost everything, giving them the help they need to rebuild their homes and lives.

The Office of the Prime Minister backed six-hour radiothon in conjunction with the Emergency Management Cook Islands, Bank of the Cook Islands, Cook Islands Red Cross and Cook Islands women’s group Kumiti Au Vaine was also held yesterday.

Vanuatu was hit by two category-four tropical cyclones earlier this month, with Cyclone Judy making landfall on March 1, followed by Cyclone Kevin on March 3. Wind speeds were reported as reaching up to 200 km/h at the storms’ peak. Also on March 3, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck northern Vanuatu, just off the coast of the country’s largest island, Espiritu