Vanuatu Relief
Update: We can't thank you enough! Because of your generous donations of 550k NZ dollars / 350k USD, we were able to distribute 2,272 relief kits in Vanuatu. These gifts of hope contained rice, tinned fish, corned beef, noodles and crackers + a generous cash component of ~NZD $130. You made it possible, and we are very thankful. Our community was truly relieved and greatly appreciated the support as they are working hard to get back on their feet. Thank you!
----------------------------------------------------------------
From March 1 - March 4 2023, Vanuatu was hit with back-to-back Category 4 tropical cyclones. The first was Judy followed by Kevin. These twin cyclones devastated many communities throughout Vanuatu. There is significant damage to homes, crops, livelihoods and infrastructure. The initial reports from Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office indicated approximately 251,319 people, of which 125,500 are children, have been impacted by the dual tropical cyclones—that is nearly 80% of the country’s population.
In the immediate aftermath, our sister organization SPBD Vanuatu set in motion our disaster relief and recovery program.
Below were just some of the devastating stories from Vanuatu.
Lilliano Andrew, 41yrs old, married with 2 children, roadside food stall owner
Prior to the cyclones, Lilliano joined SPBD to set up and run a roadside food stall. Judy destroyed half of her family house and one day later, Kevin destroyed everything—including her business. She and her family have moved in with her husband's relatives until they can rebuild a small shelter for her family.
Meriam Kokona, 41yrs old, married with 2 children, canteen owner
The cyclones destroyed everything Meriam and her family owned. Her husband is building a temporary shelter. She needs financial help to revive her business and rebuild the family home.
Sherolyn Timothy, 34yrs old, married with 5 children, roadside food stall owner
Sherolyn would sell food every evening to earn income for her family. However, everything was destroyed by the cyclones. Now she and her family are staying with her
relatives until they manage to rebuild their home.
Leirei Graham, 47yrs old, widow with 3 children, food prep business
Prior to the cyclones, Leirei fed her community at lunch time along the main road. The cyclone destroyed her home (including her kitchen / her business). She is staying in a temporary shelter but she needs financial help to restart her business.
Jill Horry, 56yrs old, married with 4 children, flower garden and bus businesses
Jill Horry's business is a family affair. She is disabled so everyone pitches in. She has a bus business, and her husband drives the bus daily, while she and her two girls take care of the flower garden. Cyclone Kevin flooded their home, furniture, and flower garden business. The family is trying to fix what they can while they sleep in their bus. They need financial support to help revive their businesses and renovate their home.
Ruth Lai, 42yrs old, married with 2 children, store owner
Ruth Lai took loans from SPBD Vanuatu to set up and run a retail store in front of her house. Cyclone Kevin took the roof off of her store and all the goods inside were damaged. She’s looking for a financial support to help her revive her small store.
Margareth Standley, 47yrs old, married with 5 children, store owner
The cyclones came and destroyed Margareth's entire house. She and her family are currently living in a tent while her family tries to rebuild. Margareth needs financial support to revive her businesses.
Relief Kits
We can't thank you enough! Because of your generous donations of 550k NZ dollars / 350k USD, we were able to distribute 2,272 relief kits in Vanuatu. These gifts of hope contained rice, tinned fish, corned beef, noodles and crackers + a generous cash component of ~NZD $130. You made it possible, and we are very thankful. Our community was truly relieved and greatly appreciated the support as they are working hard to get back on their feet. Thank you!
