Cyclone Harold Response
Support Cyclone Survivors
As it happened
Convoy Is Responding to Cyclone Harold
April 24th, 2020
Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold caused widespread destruction in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Tonga in early April as it made landfall in Vanuatu on the island of Espiritu Santo.
Harold was the second-strongest tropical cyclone to ever hit Vanuatu. Approximately 50-70 percent of buildings in the city were damaged and half of the homes suffered significant damage. Shacks along the coast of Espiritu Santo were completely demolished, with some developed homes unroofed — their walls either ripped off or collapsed in.
No building or structure was left unscathed in many communities on Malo Island. More extreme damage was reported in Pentecost, where the storm made its second landfall near peak intensity. Entire villages were reportedly destroyed.
Immediate Response
Teams packed kits and placed them on boats headed for Melakula and Pentecost.
The team on the ground began distributions on the island of Malo and continued the distributions on the west and south coasts of Santo later that week.
The team then flew out to Pentecost to meet the boat of supplies and began distributions in the surrounding areas.
Convoy of Hope distributed More than 84,000 meals across Vanuatu in 2020 to help see Hope in Every Home.
The second phase of the response involved providing roofing to assist in rebuilding homes. Locals transported the materials 8 hours up a mountain and crossed a river 32 times before they reached the heavily impacted community in Zion.
Your Impact
Cyclone Harold destroyed Pastor Samuel’s house on April 4th. He moved his family into the kitchen, where they slept until the supplies arrived to rebuild. Your support means everything to Pastor Samuel, his family and those he serves.
Latest Update
58 homes were rebuilt, along with 22 churches and one school.
Together with Convoy of Hope, your kindness has changed lives in Vanuatu. We’re so thankful for your partnership and support.