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Country analysis

Vanuatu

Between 1–3 March 2023, two successive category 4 cyclones named Judy and Kevin hit Vanuatu, affecting over 250,000 individuals. The most affected provinces were Tafea and Shefa, where the capital city, Port Vila, is situated. The cyclones destroyed 90% of the houses in these provinces. Other affected provinces include Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba. In response to the significant impact of the cyclones, the Republic of Vanuatu declared a six-month state of emergency across the country on 2 March.

The cyclones caused significant damage to homes, critical infrastructure, and hospitals, resulting in devastating effects on families. The cyclones also damaged most roads and caused power outages, making communication to remote communities difficult. Farmers in some provinces have also reported the total devastation of their crops, leading to food shortages in the coming weeks and worsening the situation.

The urgent needs of the people affected by the cyclones in Vanuatu include shelter, food, WASH services, medical supplies, and education. The cyclones also displaced thousands. As at 24 March, 2,929 people were still living in evacuation centres and with host families. The cyclones caused severe damage to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, which three quarters of the population relied on for their livelihoods.

(OCHA 24/03/2023, [NDMO Facebook 02/03/2023, IFRC 14/03/2023, IOM 28/03/2023, IPS 04/04/2023)

Between 1–3 March 2023, two successive category 4 cyclones named Judy and Kevin hit Vanuatu, affecting over 250,000 individuals. The most affected provinces were Tafea and Shefa, where the capital city, Port Vila, is situated. The cyclones destroyed 90% of the houses in these provinces. Other affected provinces include Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba. In response to the significant impact of the cyclones, the Republic of Vanuatu declared a six-month state of emergency across the country on 2 March.

The cyclones caused significant damage to homes, critical infrastructure, and hospitals, resulting in devastating effects on families. The cyclones also damaged most roads and caused power outages, making communication to remote communities difficult. Farmers in some provinces have also reported the total devastation of their crops, leading to food shortages in the coming weeks and worsening the situation.

The urgent needs of the people affected by the cyclones in Vanuatu include shelter, food, WASH services, medical supplies, and education. The cyclones also displaced thousands. As at 24 March, 2,929 people were still living in evacuation centres and with host families. The cyclones caused severe damage to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, which three quarters of the population relied on for their livelihoods.

(OCHA 24/03/2023, [NDMO Facebook 02/03/2023, IFRC 14/03/2023, IOM 28/03/2023, IPS 04/04/2023)

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Latest updates on country situation

30 October 2023

On 25 October 2023, Tropical Cyclone Lola, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Vanuatu, affecting about 150,000 people, including 25,000 children. By 27 October, it had killed two people and damaged 10,000 homes, along with some schools and bridges. It had also affected the road network in several provinces (including Malampa, Penama, Sanma, and Torba, with Pentecost Island in Penama being the hardest hit), cutting of some areas from assistance. The Government has declared a state of emergency for the next six months in Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, and Torba provinces. The disaster has come while the country is still recovering from the twin cyclones of March 2023. With the coming cyclone season from November–April, humanitarian needs are likely to increase amid difficulties in reaching remote islands and the likelihood of further natural hazards. (IFRC 30/10/2023, UNICEF 27/10/2023, ECHO 27/10/2023)

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on Vanuatu

Vanuatu: earthquake

20 December 2024

Vanuatu: earthquake

DOCUMENT / PDF / 383 KB

On 17 December, a magnitude-7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital. The earthquake and aftershocks affected around 80,000 people. The earthquake’s extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure suggests that the number of fatalities is likely to increase. 

Natural hazards
Vanuatu: the impact of cyclones Judy and Kevin

14 March 2023

Vanuatu: the impact of cyclones Judy and Kevin

DOCUMENT / PDF / 411 KB

Between 1–3 March 2023, a rare double cyclone event occurred involving two category 4 tropical cyclones, Judy and Kevin, hitting Vanuatu. Early estimates by local government authorities indicate that the cyclones have affected approximately 250,000 people, equivalent to more than 80% of the population. 

Natural hazards

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Vanuatu: Tropical cyclone

15 March 2016

Vanuatu: Tropical cyclone

DOCUMENT / PDF / 669 KB

Category five Tropical Cyclone Pam hit Vanuatu in the evening of 13 March 2015, with winds of more than 250km/hr and has affected the entire country, but particularly in the central and southern provinces. On 13 March, the Government issued a ‘red alert’ to all six provinces, advising people to seek shelter immediately.

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