ADRA responds to cyclones in Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu | Sarah Ryan/Record Staff

Vanuatu declared a state of emergency as category 4 Cyclone Kevin swept through the island nation on March 3, destroying homes and leaving many in need of shelter. The country had already been hit by extreme weather two days earlier after Cyclone Judy battered Port Vila on March 1.

Many fruit trees were wiped out, affecting families that rely on the harvest for both food and income. Flash flooding also affected communities in Tanna and many were left without power.

ADRA started its response efforts immediately, opening two evacuation centres—one in Santo and another in Port Vila—to provide shelter during the cyclone. The centre in Port Vila remains open, providing shelter to people who have lost their homes, along with food and counselling services.

The humanitarian agency also supported evacuation centres in Naiwi Blue Water Resort, Crystal Blue and Efate, providing them with shelter and food supplies.

The ADRA team on the ground worked to survey the needs of affected communities to determine how best to respond.

The response efforts also received support from the New Zealand Government (MFAT) and UNICEF who provided emergency packs, portable squat toilets and hygiene and food kits, all distributed to the evacuation centres.

“Our local team on the ground have been amazing; they have spent the first weekend setting up an emergency response to help families when they needed it most,” shares Anna Cherry, a regional response team member and ADRA New Zealand program manager.

To support ADRA’s disaster response work visit:<adra.org.au/disaster> (Australia) or <adra.org.nz/help/> (New Zealand).