CYCLONE HAROLD IN VANUATU

When Cyclone Harold hit the islands as a category 5 cyclone earlier this year, around 160,000 people were affected. We’re working with CARE Vanuatu to get essential aid to the families who need it.

Home destroyed by Cyclone Harold

On April 6, Cyclone Harold made landfall in Vanuatu as a Category 5 cyclone, bringing devastation to communities in the north.

It was the strongest cyclone to hit the islands since Cyclone Pam in 2015.

Harold destroyed thousands of houses, damaged food crops, and caused widespread power outages. Some communities were completely flattened by the cyclone, with electricity posts broken in two and roofs torn off by the powerful cyclonic wind.

Communities had to use what little building material they could salvage to create storage for their remaining possessions. These structures were too small to use as shelter, so many people had to sleep out in the open.

How are we helping?

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, access to the country is extremely difficult right now.

As we haven’t been able to send a response team, we have partnered with CARE Vanuatu to get much-needed aid to the most vulnerable families.

Aid distributions are currently underway. Families are receiving tarpaulins and rope, shelter kits will be considered as community tools, which is a usual practice in Vanuatu.

The feedback we have received so far has been positive. CARE recently held a meeting with village chiefs in South Pentecost, who specifically asked CARE to convey their deep appreciation to ShelterBox. Many of the community members said they had almost given up hope of receiving support.

ShelterBox items arriving by boat in Vanuatu

WORKING THROUGH CORONAVIRUS

Working together to bring the items ashore

Vanuatu is a powerful example of the truth that disasters continue even as coronavirus wreaks havoc across the world.

It is one of a very few countries that has so far managed to keep coronavirus out. But it is also an example of how much more difficult disaster relief is during the global pandemic, with international and internal travel restrictions and strict protocols for humanitarian cargo, such as disinfection and 3-day quarantine.

As coronavirus spreads globally, shelter is needed now more than ever before. We’re working around the clock with our global partners to reach the most vulnerable families to provide essential shelter and aid.

Your support is crucial in these difficult times – please support our work and help families in crises all over the world.

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OUR RESPONSE IN PICTURES

To get to the hard-to-reach areas in Vanuatu, our aid was transported by boat.

It was all hands on deck as the community came together to unload the aid items from the boat.

ShelterBox aid, including tarpaulins, rope, solar lights and kitchen sets on the beaches at Pentecost and Santo Islands

We have been working with our local partner CARE Vanuatu to get much-needed ShelterBox aid to 2,000 families

In these photos you can see distributions of tarpaulins, rope, solar lights and kitchen sets on Pentecost and Santo Islands which took place throughout July and August 2020.

A woman carries aid across the beach.

By whatever means necessary! A wheelbarrow is used to transport shelter kits through the islands.

Solar lights being distributed to families

When Cyclone Harold made landfall in Vanuatu as a Category 5 cyclone, it devastated communities across the country. The provinces of Sanma, Malampa, Torba and Penama were the worst hit with around 160,000 people thought to be affected.

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