This web application uses cookies and other tracking technologies to ensure you get the best experience.
2020_WHD_Casestudy_Marie_Toto
File information | File dimensions | File size | Options |
Original JPG File | 1944 × 1296 pixels (2.52 MP) 16.5 cm × 11 cm @ 300 PPI |
564 KB | Download |
942 × 628 pixels (0.59 MP) 8 cm × 5.3 cm @ 300 PPI |
229 KB | Download | |
Screen | 1100 × 733 pixels (0.81 MP) 9.3 cm × 6.2 cm @ 300 PPI |
294 KB | Download |
Preview | Screen Preview |
294 KB | View |
1080 × 720 pixels (0.78 MP) 9.1 cm × 6.1 cm @ 300 PPI |
287 KB | Download | |
768 × 512 pixels (0.39 MP) 6.5 cm × 4.3 cm @ 300 PPI |
161 KB | Download | |
800 × 533 pixels (0.43 MP) 6.8 cm × 4.5 cm @ 300 PPI |
178 KB | Download |
Resource ID
73743
Access
Open
Contributed by
Chandra Prasad
Uploading member
CI Secretariat
Consent form provided?
Yes
Region
Australia and Pacific
Style
Documentary, Portrait
Focal point
Looking at camera
Subject Keywords
Adult Group, Men, Woman
Moods and Emotions
Informal
Image size
1944x1296
Source
Digital Camera
Country
Vanuatu
Theme
Humanitarian response
Keywords
Advocacy, Aid Worker, CARE staff, Disease, Rural
Named person(s)
Marie Toto
Credit
CARE
Copyright
CARE
Date Image Taken
13 August 20
Caption
World Humanitarian Day case study: Marie Toto, Emergency Preparedness and Response Team Leader, CARE Vanuatu
Incredible women humanitarians: Vanuatu’s Marie Toto
Aid workers make amazing sacrifices to help vulnerable people. Today is World Humanitarian Day, so we’re celebrating the people who make CARE’s lifesaving work possible – people like Vanuatu’s Marie Toto.
After Cyclone Pam hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in March 2015, CARE’s Marie Toto didn’t know if her family were dead or alive.
The then 24-year-old is from the island of Ambrym, around 160km from the capital, Port Vila, where she lives and works, and phone lines were down.
“There was no connection with family back on the island so I was not sure either they’re alive or they’ve all died, no information at all,” Marie said.
In the midst of uncertainty, Marie did what she does best – she packed a bag and went out to help people.
Marie and a colleague hopped on the first charter flight to one of the worst hit islands, Erromango, where she worked alongside the Australian Defence Force to distribute food and other lifesaving essentials.
Marie Toto.
This was not a straightforward task. Many roads were impassable and Marie and the other responders could only reach the most remote villages by helicopter.
A few weeks later, Marie was finally able to make that important call back home.
The good news was that everyone was fine. The even better news was that, without even being there in person, Marie’s foresight had helped her family and neighbours survive.
“Whatever information I give to communities [in disaster preparation workshops] it also helped me for my family,” Marie said.
“When Tropical Cyclone Pam started, I told my little brother ‘we don’t know how strong the cyclone is going to be but you need to prepare’.”
On Marie’s advice, the family stockpiled food and firewood. It was lucky they did, because they soon had 30 mouths to feed.
“All our neighbours moved inside our house, their houses were all destroyed and they didn’t have any food. They lived there for two months while they rebuilt their houses.”
“With that information I saved my family and our neighbours’ lives.”
Marie’s job may require her to fly all over the country – more recently she was away for two months after the 2018 Ambae island volcano eruption – but her village roots are still at the core of her humanitarian work.
“You feel for the people. People out there in remote communities, they don’t have much access to information or resources so when you have the opportunity, it’s time for you to give more to them. We give our best.”
Marker lat / long: -15.1, 167 (WGS84)