On April 3rd, 2020, Tropical Cyclone Harold hit Vanuatu as a Category 5 storm with winds up to 183 mph. TC Harold moved slowly, taking time to inflict massive destruction, particularly in the northern islands. The devastation was overwhelming and widespread.
Across the hardest-hit islands of Santo and Pentecost, as much as 80-95% of homes were severely damaged or destroyed, displacing tens of thousands. The U.N. estimates that over 160,000 people - half the entire country - have been impacted by the storm.
Winds damaged over 175,000 hectares of cropland, laying waste to Vanuatu's food supply. Loses are estimated at more than $12 million in crops and livestock alone.
While large international aid organizations such as UNICEF, CARE, and the Red Cross, are providing much-needed emergency services (food, shelter), Friends of Vanuatu (FOV2) recognizes our role will come after immediate relief efforts have subsided. We created this fund with the knowledge there will be village-level needs and efforts that remain unfulfilled or needing additional support.
Donating to the FOV2 Cyclone Harold Emergency Recovery Fund
means your dollars will go to community-driven
projects focused on post-Harold recovery efforts.
Why donate to this fund?
- Grassroots: FOV2 works on behalf of our donors to offer the unique advantage of reaching and funding grassroots partners on the ground.
- Vetting: Our grant recipients are vetted through a network of in-country connections, affiliated organizations, and our Board of development professionals.
- Experience: Our volunteer board has a combined 12+ years of Vanuatu village-level living, providing key insights into the needs of Ni-Vanuatu communities.
- Ethics: Our board is dedicated to fiduciary oversight, as well as ensuring all Ni-Vanuatu populations impacted by our projects are treated with dignity and respect.
- Local: Your donated funds will only support locally-based initiatives.
- Communication: As funds are dispersed, our donors and members will have specific project details provided directly to them.
