Recovering from double disaster in Vanuatu
Above: Ten-year-old Roseh sharing his story at the evacuation centre in Vanuatu. Photo: Elisa Mondou/Save the Children Vanuatu
When Tropical Cyclone Kevin hit Vanuatu at the beginning of March 2023, just days after the island nation had been struck by Tropical Cyclone Judy, Roseh (10), Serah (9), their mother Rose, and their father, the chief of their community, sheltered in the children's school.
When they emerged after the cyclone had passed, they found their home was destroyed and they had lost many of their possessions.
“When I saw our house all damaged I felt really sad because I lost all my stuff, I lost my toy gun and my clothes too,” Roseh said.
Above: Roseh’s mother, Rose, said the relief supplies through Save the Children and the Australian Humanitarian Partnership, helped her family to begin the rebuilding process after the twin cyclones in Vanuatu. Photo: Elisa Mondou/Save the Children Vanuatu
“The wind came, the trees fell, and we ran into the classrooms and slept in the classrooms until morning. When we went to check our house in the morning, everything was badly damaged.”
“When the winds were strong and loud, I was scared and some babies were crying, but we all stayed inside the classroom.”
Rose echoes her son’s experience.
“When the cyclone and the winds started getting stronger, I carried my kids and we ran to the safe house. Our whole house was destroyed,” she said.
Roseh and his family lived in an evacuation centre in the weeks following the cyclones, where they received hygiene and household kits from Save the Children, supported through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) response.
Above: While living in a makeshift shelter, the family was able to reconstruct their kitchen, which was badly damaged by the cyclones. Elisa Mondou/Save the Children Vanuatu
The family then hurriedly built a small, temporary home and fortified it with a tarp.
“Save the Children gave us a tarp, some kitchen essentials, a blanket and two cooking pots,” Rose said.
“These kits help my children to sleep in a safe place, and we will use the cups, spoons, plates, pots to cook and make sure my children have food to eat.”
Roseh’s family are living in this makeshift dwelling as they rebuild their proper home.
The AHP response is continuing to support children affected by the disasters, including through psychosocial support and activities.
Above: Save the Children Staff and Volunteers distributing aid, supported by the Australian Government, to people impacted by the cyclones. Photo: Elisa Mondou/Save the Children Vanuatu
Shortly after the cyclones, Save the Children established a child friendly space in the evacuation centre to provide Roseh, Serah and their friends a place to feel safe, play and regain a sense of normalcy.
“My favourite thing to do at the evacuation centre is looking at the pictures in reading books,” Roseh said.
With the support of AHP, Save the Children Vanuatu has compiled a report sharing the experiences of children like Roseh during the 2023 twin cyclones, including the impacts on education, economic security, safety and child rights.
The AHP response to TC Kevin and Judy will continue until April 2024. The coordinated response, involving all AHP partners in Vanuatu, has supported immediate recovery from the disaster through the supply of non-food essential items, as well as programs to restore livelihoods, agriculture, and WASH.