Tropical Cyclone Harold Relief - Aotearoa to Vanuatu

On the 6th of April 2020, amidst an already existing State of Emergency due to Covid-19, Tropical Cyclone Harold reached Category 5 before making landfall on the South-West coast of Santo Island in Vanuatu. The cyclone proceed to lay a path of destruction across the islands of Santo, Malo, Aore, Tutuba, Ambae, Maelekula, Ambrym, Pentecost and several smaller islands.

In many places, 80% to 100% of buildings and infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed along with food and water sources. Trees are stripped bare, meaning it is even hard to find shade or shelter from rain. Up to 150,000 people living on the affected islands are now in urgent need of emergency relief.

The response is being coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) who are working with a number of key partners on providing emergency shelter, water, food and protection for vulnerable groups. A number of these partners (e.g. World Vision) are now calling for donations to assist with these efforts.

As two kiwis that have been living and working in Santo for the last two years, we have grown a special connection with the whenua and kind people of Vanuatu and have many friends and colleagues that have been severely impacted by TC Harold. We now ask for your help to support our Pacific whānau in rebuilding their beautiful home.