Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Judy and Tropical Cyclone Kevin: Situation Report No. 4 (As of 22 March 2023)

This report is produced by OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands in collaboration with humanitarian partners under the Pacific Humanitarian Team. It covers the period from 13 to 16 March 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tropical cyclones JUDY and KEVIN (both of Cat 4 intensity) made landfall over Vanuatu on the 1st and 3rd March, affecting over 251,000 people.

• National authorities declared a 6-month State of Emergency over the entire country on 5th of March.

• As of 20th March, 51 evacuation centres remain active hosting almost 2,000 people (476 households) in Shefa and Tafea, while over 800 people (129 households) are with host households.

• The “First Push” of dry rations distribution in Priority Areas 1 and 2 is ongoing, as well as distribution of food rations to Shepherd Islands with ships carrying food rations departing for Tanna Island and Tafea on the 18th March.

• WASH partners distributed collapsible water containers and undertook water-trucking in Tanna and Efate.

• Gender and Protection partners have distributed 500 dignity kits in North Efate and the Port Vila area, and distribution of 2000 dignity kits in Shefa in ongoing.

• Assessments of 58 health facilities have been carried out in Shefa and Tafea.

• An estimated 150,000 people are in need of protection support and services.

• While 70% of households are now supplied with electricity, power restoration is still ongoing in parts of the country.

• Detailed assessments of roads, airports, ports and public buildings are ongoing.

• Support to affected households through cash transfers is being planned by the Government of Vanuatu.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Following the two category 4 tropical cyclones (JUDY and KEVIN) which hit Vanuatu on the 1 and 3 March, a State of Emergency was declared by national authorities in the provinces of Mera Lava, Penama, Ambrym, Paama, Shefa and Tafea, which was then extended to the entire country on 5 March. The Government of Vanuatu (GoV) reported that 251,346 people have been affected by the cyclones (about 80% of the total population). Updated reports (20 March) from the Displacement and Evacuation Centre National Cluster signal that there are currently 1,951 people in the 51 active Evacuation Centres in Shefa and Tafea (476 households), while 806 people (129 households) are placed in host households.
Rapid assessments have been carried out in all affected areas, however, data are yet incomplete and data input and analysis still ongoing. For this reason, people in need numbers are still under consideration. However, responses have been ongoing, based on initial assessment data and secondary data sets. Humanitarian partners, including OCHA, have developed various dashboards together with and for the Vanuatu NDMO and they will be shared as they become available. Please see here the : Vanuatu NDMO 3W a live dashboard, as of 22 March recording 359 response activities under seven national clusters by 19 NDMO partners. Next will be a NFI dashboard which is currently being updated.
As of 22 March, NDMO estimates that 24,657 households (123,288 people) have been affected by the cyclones in Shefa and Tafea (Priority 1 area). NDMO estimates that 90% of houses in those provinces are destroyed or severely damaged (22,191 households- 110,956 people). 90% of Vanuatu Aerial Road Network is now accessible; 81% of Vanuatu Outer Island Airports are operational for emergency purposes; 67% of Vanuatu Outer Islands Airports are approved for commercial services. Detailed assessments of roads, airports, ports and public building is ongoing. Electricity restoration is still ongoing in parts of the country.
The “First Push” of dry rations distribution in Priority Area 1 and 2 is ongoing. Distribution of food rations in Shepherd Islands is being organized with a domestic vessel (“Young Blood”); another two vessels (“Tiwi” and “Vanuatu Ferry”) carrying food rations departed on 18 March to Tanna Island and to Tafea respectively. In an extended PHT meeting on 17 March, the government said that there is a shortage of dry rations in the country. From the calculated 225,000 rations needed, only around 106,000 are available (47%). The gap is around 120,000 (53%). Discussions with humanitarian partners are ongoing to address this impasse and which modalities will be applied; i.e. what kind of food is needed and how many distributions will be foreseen for how many people. With regards to the Health Cluster, 58 formal health facility assessments have been carried out in Shefa and Tafea, and additional 3 have been identified as being priority facilities for assessments. The mobile clinic deployed around Port Vila has been providing care to 18 (308 evacuees) evacuation centres, such as wound care, mosquito nets, deworming and childhood vaccinations. The WASH cluster has distributed collapsible water containers and water trucking in Tanna and Efate. The Gender and Protection Cluster distributed 500 dignity kits in North Efate and Port Vila area, and ongoing distribution of 2000 dignity kits in Shefa; psycho-social support trainings were provided to volunteers to be deployed to Shefa. Current international contingents in country supporting NDMO in surge capacity, NFI distribution, assets and infrastructure support from France, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and the UN.

Priority Areas identified by NDMO as of 21 March:

PRIORITY 1 AREA:

• Efate and Tafea

PRIORITY 2 AREA:

• Southwest Malekula

• Shepherds & Epi

• South East Ambrym

• Paama

PRIORITY 3:

• Northern part of Penama

• Western part of Malampa

PRIORITY 4:

• Mere-lava Island

• Maewo Island

PRIORITY 5:

• Sanma

• Ambae

• Malekula

• West Ambyrm

• Torba