| Project Detail |
Project Name Tropical Cyclone Harold Emergency Response Project Project Number 54221-001 Country Vanuatu Project Status Active Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant Source of Funding / Amount Grant 0695-VAN: Tropical Cyclone Harold Emergency Response Project Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund US$ 1.00 million Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth Drivers of Change Partnerships Sector / Subsector Health / Disease control of non-communicable diseases and other priority programs Gender Equity and Mainstreaming No gender elements Description The category 5 Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold made landfall on 6 April 2020 in Sanma Province on the island of Espiritu Santo, delivering sustained winds of 200km/h gusting to 235km/h. Due to its path across the centre of Vanuatu, TC Harold directly impacted a large number of populated islands, including Ambrym, Malekula, Paama, Ambae Pentecost, Maewo, Malo, and the countrys second largest city, Luganville, with a population of 16,000. Preliminary assessments indicated substantial structural damage (up to 70% of houses and structures in Luganville) - evacuation centers are reportedly full. Widespread crop damage has also raised food security concerns as the northern provinces produce about 80% of all major agricultural exports. The first aerial surveillance assessments of 7 April by Vanuatus National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) assessed the total number of affected people at 159,474 (nearly 50% of the total population). The provinces of Sanma (53,344 people), Penama (32,055 people), and Malampa (40,917 people) have been assigned priority for assistance, while the needs in the provinces of Torba (10,012 people) and Sheperds Group (23,056 people) have been assigned second priority. On 11 April 2020, he government declared a 30-day state of emergency. Notably, access to affected areas for the delivery of humanitarian relief may be inhibited by existing access controls intended to protect the population against COVID-19 transmission. Early situation reports from NDMO and United Nations indicate that immedicate efforts must focus on provision of potable water, shelter, logistics support to address food security risks, and the restoration of communications and power infrastructure. |
