Cyclone Harold emergency update
7 April: On Monday morning Tropical Cyclone Harold made landfall on the north and west of Vanuatu. The category five storm is the biggest to hit the country since Cyclone Pam in 2015, bringing 230kph winds, heavy rain and flooding.
While the situation remains unclear we do know that homes have been destroyed and livelihoods have been lost. We have reports of serious injuries and significant damage to a local hospital which is currently not operational. On the island of Pentecost, where we work it’s been reported that all the buildings have been flattened.
Act for Peace, along with our local partners, will be on the ground assessing the damage, contacting local communities and planning our response. We have been working in Vanuatu since 2008, helping communities prepare for disasters like this. Over the coming days and weeks we will be providing emergency relief and support to communities affected and helping them through this crisis.
We will continue to update this page as the situation develops.
They stood by us in our time of need.
Please stand with our pacific neighbours as they prepare for the next disaster.
Vanuatu is the most at-risk country in the world for disasters. It’s not if a disaster will strike, but when.
Every year, the people of Vanuatu face the threat of cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
Despite being one of our poorest neighbours, the people of Vanuatu stood by us in our time of need, giving generously to support Australian families affected by the bushfires.
A gift from you today can help an entire community in Vanuatu be prepared for when the next disaster strikes.
Will you now stand in solidarity with our kind neighbours, who are becoming more vulnerable to disasters?
Banner image: Julia Loersch/Act for Peace