Tropical Cyclone Harold caused extensive destruction after making landfall as a category 4 storm in the Republic of Fiji on 8 April 2020.

Since then, International Organization for Migration’s partnership with the Fijian NGO Live and Learn has supported the ongoing rebuilding efforts by responding to the shelter needs of some of the most vulnerable households affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold (‘TC Harold’) in Vatulele island and Tailevu province (Western and Central Divisions respectively).

To address the shelter, water and sanitation and food security needs of 200,000 people affected, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) contributed USD 100,000 to the IOM’s response. 

The Category 4 cyclone, which left a trail of destruction in its path with average winds of up to 195km/hr and gusts up to 275km/hr caused substantial damage to dwellings, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure across the country. The devastation caused by the cyclone was followed by heavy rains for several weeks, which added flash flooding damage to the widespread destruction.

The humanitarian response was further impacted by COVID-19 lock-down measures, including national travel restrictions on all inter island transfers which limited access to cyclone affected areas.

A total of 464 households whose shelters were damaged in the Western and Central Divisions  are receiving the supplies necessary to rebuild their homes. They are also participating in a Build Back Safer (BBS) training which trains people on building techniques, the identification of safe building locations and how to use locally available materials in conjunction with the items and tools included in the repair kit to rebuild their homes.

According to Vusuya Settlement’s community representative, “learning about how to strap roofs using the material provided is really important as most houses were roofless after TC Harold.”

“CERF support has been critical in enabling that communities literally have the tools and skills required to not only recover from TC Harold but to prepare for the next cyclone season which runs from November to April in Fiji,” stated Hassan el Maaroufi, IOM’s Programme Officer (Humanitarian and Emergency).

The ongoing needs of these households identified through the Initial Damage Assessment conducted by the government in April 2020 and were confirmed by a pre-distribution assessment conducted in September 2020.

To ensure inclusion of humanitarian protection principles in this relief effort, IOM has also trained Live and Learn Fiji staff and volunteers on mainstreaming protection and gender based violence risks to ensure the response is provided in a way that avoids any unintended negative effects, is delivered according to needs, prioritizes safety and dignity while making sure that response is participatory and that it is accountable to the people assisted.

Since June 2020, IOM in partnership with Live and Learn Fiji, have and continue to provide Household Shelter Repair Kits and BBS training shelter to support the communities rebuild their lives following the disaster.

IOM and Live & Learn will continue to support communities with homes destroyed by TC Harold during the remainder of the project.

For more information please contact Hassan El Maaroufi Programme Officer (IOM Programme Officer - Humanitarian and Emergency) at IOM Fiji, email: haelmaaroufi@iom.int