Far from the news, a cyclone ravages Pacific islands
While the world was preoccupied with the COVID-19 crisis in April, a string of islands in the South Pacific found themselves in the eye of another disaster as Cyclone Harold swept through the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga.
The system intensified explosively and moved into Fijian waters on 3 April and became a category 5 cyclone producing winds up to 170mph as it hit the archipelago of Vanuatu on 6 April. Over a third of the island’s population was affected, as roads and communications were hit and flash flooding forced families to flee their homes.
Many homes were destroyed by floods, debris and landslides.
A storm surge caused severe flooding along the coastline and grounded ships at the largest island of the country, Espiritu Santo. The islands were mercifully free of coronavirus, but the travel and global restrictions are complicating aid. Save the Children and the Red Cross were, however, able to distribute stockpiled emergency kits and relief supplies. The New Zealand Defence Force sent a helicopter to deliver medical supplies and Australia sent support for health, education and police agencies.
The cyclone has left ‘devastation in its wake,’ confirms a spokesman for Yachtaid Global, a volunteer organisation providing humanitarian aid and disaster response in the communities yachtsmen visit. ‘Aid and relief efforts are ramping up but are highly complicated by Vanuatu currently being free of the coronavirus.
‘Cash infusion to the disaster relief organisations in place on the ground will maximise their ability to deliver aid within the constraints of COVID-19. Yachtaid Global’s Operation Nasama will provide that infusion with 100% of funds going to Vanuatu.’
See more about the role of yachting volunteers at yachtaidglobal.org