TC Judy/Kevin Vanuatu 2023
2023-07 Factsheet - TC Judy/Kevin Vanuatu 2023
Highlights
Tropical cyclones JUDY and KEVIN (both of Cat 4 intensity) made landfall over Vanuatu on the 1st and 3rd March, following a similar track and affecting over 251,000 people in four provinces (Shefa, Tafea, Malampa and Penama).On the 2nd of March, National authorities declared a State of Emergency in the provinces of Mera Lava, Penama, Ambrym, Paama, Shefa and Tafea, which was extended to the entire country on the 5th of March.
Vanuatu Shelter Cluster was convened on March 5th, led by NDMO and co-led by Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), with IFRC support, convening daily meetings during the emergency phase (March to April).
The main outputs of the SCT during the response have been:
- Continuous support to SC partners, production and dissemination of 3W updates, sit reps, maps and infographics.
- Ongoing coordination with other national clusters (Displacement and Evacuation Centre Management Cluster, Logistic cluster, Protection and Gender Cluster, WASH cluster).
- Development and endorsement of Shelter Cluster Strategy
- Revision and updates of technical standards for distribution and EIC on safe shelter awareness disseminated along the response.
- Support to DSPACC (Department of Strategic Policy, Planning & Aid Coordination) on updating the Shelter Recovery Guidelines
- Facilitation of SCV Good practices and Lesson learnt workshop (Results still under revision)
Need analysis
Strong winds over 120km/h and substantial amounts of rain affected over 251,000 people (80% total population) in four provinces, according to initial estimates from Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO). Five different priority areas were established according to level of impact: priority 1 (Efate in Shefa prov. and Tafea prov), priority 2 (Shefa outer islands and Malampa prov), priority 3 (Pentecost island in Penama prov), priority 4(Maewo Island in Penama prov) and priority 5 (Sanma and Torba pro).
NDMO assessment report released on April 5th estimated that 24,000 HH had their houses severely (54%) or partially destroyed (46%) within Shefa, Tafea and Malampa provinces.
Response
National government has substantial capacity and experience dealing with tropical cyclones and government departments are leading all Clusters, with international and national organizations co-leading. Damaged assessments and response plans have been coordinated through the NDMO, Provincial Operation Centers (POC), Area administrators and Community Disaster and Climate Change Commitees (CDCCC). Emergency phase was initially focused on Shefa and Tafea provinces, as the worst affected ones, and comprised Emergency Shelter and Essential Household items assistance and with the following active implementing partners supporting goverment efforts: Care, World Vision, Vanuatu Red Cross Society, ADRA, Save the Children, Oxfam, IOM and Later-day Saints.
Based on the information shared with the SCT as of July 2023, 62,575 affected people (12,517 HH) have been assisted with a total of 25,179 emergency shelter items (including tarpaulins, rapid tool kits and shelter tool kits) and 4,795 Essential HH items (kitchen sets, blankets and mats) have been distributed, along with safe shelter awareness, key build back safer messages and EIC material on Use, re-use and disposal of tarpaulins.
- Shefa Province: 7,472 HH
- Tafea Province: 3,539 HH
- Malampa Province: 557 HH
- Penama Province: 417 HH
- Sanma Province: 416 HH
- Torba Province: 114 HH
Gaps / challenges
- Logistic difficulties on accessing remote islands, especially during the first weeks of response.
- Challenges on initial coordination with Tafea PEOC due to communication breakdowns.
- Rapid, damage assessments were published one month after the landfall of twin TC, which hampered the initial response. It is recommended that a sectoral needs assessment would be also planned to best tailor the response to the needs of affected population.
- Limited stocks in country has slowed down the emergency assistance.
- Moving into Early Recovery phase from May: only VRCS, WVV and Care will extend their assistance into ER.
