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Cyclone Harold in Vanuatu
When Cyclone Harold hit the islands as a category 5 cyclone in 2020, around 160,000 people were affected. We have worked with CARE Vanuatu to get essential aid to the families who needed it.
On April 6 2020, 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 have we helped?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, access to the country was extremely difficult.
As we weren’t able to send a response team, we partnered with CARE Vanuatu to get much-needed aid to the most vulnerable families.
Families received tarpaulins and rope, solar lights and kitchen sets. The tools and fixings contained in the shelter kits were considered as community tools, which is a usual practice in Vanuatu.
The feedback we received 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.
Working through coronavirus
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.
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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