Japan is considering extending $1.2 million in emergency grant aid to Vanuatu and other Pacific nations devastated by powerful Cyclone Pam, a senior government official said Sunday.
At his meeting with Vanuatuan Foreign Minister Sato Kilman, Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Kentaro Sonoura said Tokyo is ready to cooperate with disaster-hit nations in "human resources development and infrastructure building for long-term contribution" to economic growth.
The grant aid, dispensed through international organizations, is under consideration along with short-term assistance, Sonoura said, adding that emergency relief supplies worth some ¥20 million (around $165,000) are expected to arrive at Vanuatu shortly.
Kilman thanked Tokyo for its prompt assistance.
The death toll from the cyclone, which tore through the South Pacific archipelago earlier this month, had reached 15 as of Sunday, according to the Vanuatuan government.