Attachments
Description of the crisis
Tropical Cyclone (TC) Lola, initially rated as a category five cyclone, made landfall on the eastern shores of Maewo and Pentecost Islands on the night of 25 October 2023 as a category four storm, with wind speeds reaching 205 kilometres per hour (kph). The impacts included high winds, heavy rainfalls, and flash flooding in low-lying areas, including riverbanks and coastal areas. TC Lola caused widespread damage, primarily affecting Pentecost, Maewo, Ambrym, and Malekula Islands. Initial data from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) data suggested that around 150,000 people (30,000 households) were affected. Later, NDMO figures indicated that 91,000 people were directly affected.
On 27 October 2023, the Government of Vanuatu declared a six-month state of emergency for Torba, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Sanma provinces, which ended on 25 April 2024. The NDMO determined priorities for assistance based on the track path of the cyclone, magnitude of damage (from the satellite images, initial information/ assessment/observation) and the estimated number of affected people. VRCS assessments conducted in Penama, Malampa and Torba provinces revealed that 36 per cent or around 1,913 households (HH) experienced total house destruction, while 40 per cent (2,168 HH) experienced minor damage.
VRCS’s initial response primarily focused on emergency relief distributions, psychosocial and first aid assistance, addressing urgent shelter and sanitation needs through the provision of emergency shelter, hygiene kits and essential household items. Specifically, the distributions of essential household items reached 4,074 households.
Summary of response
Overview of the host National Society and ongoing response
The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) is the largest humanitarian organisation in Vanuatu. It is present across the country and is the only humanitarian organisation with a parliamentary Act recognising its mandate. The Vanuatu Red Cross Act of 1982 recognises the VRCS as an independent, autonomous, non-governmental organisation that is auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of Vanuatu in the humanitarian field. As an auxiliary to the public authorities, VRCS maintains a strong relationship with the NDMO and is a member of the National Disaster Council. VRCS also works closely with provincial and village disaster response personnel and Community Disaster Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs). Through its support as co-lead and key partner to the Shelter Cluster and WASH and Health Clusters, VRCS is also closely engaged with the Vanuatu Humanitarian Team (VHT).
VRCS has a long history of building community resilience to disaster risks, working with communities, the Government and partners to enhance preparedness and resilience to key hazards in one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. For instance, VRCS has implemented communitybased early warning systems in coastal villages, collaborated with the government to develop national disaster response frameworks, and partnered with international organizations to provide training on climate-adaptive agriculture practices. Additionally, VRCS has been actively supporting the NDMO in enhancing disaster preparedness through a multi-level approach. VRCS has strengthened the NDMO network at the community level by establishing Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees (CDCCCs) and providing training to the Provincial Disaster Committees. This training is complemented by simulation exercises to boost preparedness and response capabilities. For example, VRCS worked closely with the NDMO and 10 communities in Big Bay and Sanma province to establish and strengthen the CDCCCs.
VRCS has six branches and four sub-branches, with 361 active volunteers available for response, as well as 33 staff in National Headquarters and Branches. It has an Emergency Response Team (ERT) of 120 members, a National Emergency Response Team (NERT) of 15, a Pacific Disaster Response Team (PDRT) of five, and 100 personnel trained in first aid. Volunteers are trained in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), shelter, first aid, health, and hygiene promotion.
VRCS has warehouses at the national headquarters and in Santo. There are storage containers holding essential household items in Shefa, Tafea provinces and on Melekula island. In addition, some stocks are held within Red Cross buildings on Pentacost island and in Torba province. However, the available storage in Torba and Tafea provinces is insufficient given the potential needs and both locations would benefit from additional storage containers. Unfortunately, while one storage container is included in the Emergency Appeal, current appeal coverage makes its purchase unlikely.