Figure: Back-to-back Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin made landfall over Vanuatu on March 1 and 3, respectively, causing widespread damage, flooding, and power outages. ©FAO/Vanuatu

FAO News; 15/03/2023

Rome/Port Vila – The Category 4 Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin that made landfall over Vanuatu earlier this month have left a trail of destruction in their wake, affecting some 80 percent of the population and causing widespread damage, flooding and power outages. With about three-quarters of the population relying on agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is warning about the potential impacts these back-to-back tropical cyclones will have on rural livelihoods.

In response, FAO has swiftly reallocated resources from its ongoing programmes to immediately deliver the most pressing needs for the island’s inhabitants and their livelihoods; and is mobilizing additional resources to address further immediate response and recovery support needs.

"As the largest implementing agency supporting Government on food security and livelihoods in Vanuatu, FAO has mobilized its capacities to support Vanuatu’s recovery following these devastating natural disasters," said FAO Deputy Director-General, Laurent Thomas. "We are working closely with the Government and National Food Security Cluster partners to assess agricultural [crops, livestock and fishery] damages and address the food security and rural farmers’ immediate recovery needs mobilizing our own resources and redirecting available funding."

The coming weeks will be critical to recover what is left of the harvests and protect remaining livestock during this current vegetable planting season and to prepare for the oncoming dry season. FAO is working closely with the Government of Vanuatu to identify immediate agricultural inputs, which include but are not limited to, seeds and planting materials, gardening tools, 2-wheeled rotovators, earth augers, water tanks and irrigation kits. Fencing is also a priority to prevent wandering livestock from destroying available crops. Fish aggregating devices will also be needed to support recovery efforts in the fisheries sector.

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