TC Harold and COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical ...
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
TC Harold and COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020A Rapid & PracticalResponse15 Feb - 15 Apr 2020
80% of homes in Luganville sustained serious damage
COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Introduction
One remote pacifi c country,two compounding disasters.
The Vanuatu Business Resilience Council (VBRC) was quick to react to the threats presented by the COVID-19 situation. Long before a global pandemic was announced in March, the team had already released guides to support the health of the people of Vanuatu and Business Continuity Planning in order to ensure that the economic disaster is as contained as possible.
This document provides an overview of VCCI and VBRC actions during the period of mid Feb to mid April 2020.
While borders closed and economic effects intensifi ed, on the night of 5th of April a Category 5 Cyclone struck Vanuatu. Affecting over 6 islands and 140,000 people, the cyclone destroyed power and water systems, communications and homes. Assessment on loss of lives has not fully been completed. This second disaster, at a time when the country was feeling the economic effects of the global COVID-19 situation has severely challenged the nation.
Given the COVID-19 situation and the current decisions around external aid being restricted, we will need to scale dramatically to provide this logistical support to deliver the aid that other actors normally would. We need fi nancial resource to deliver, organise logistics and measure impacts.
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
What we are working on now
Humanitarian support from offshore will be limited so the private sector will need to be heavily supportive and involved in the NDMO response in terms of logistics, delivery and assessments.
The assets in terms of boats, vehicles, helicopters, planes and so on that are vital to respond to the needs of the affected population are privately owned and are either already engaged or stand ready to be invited to support via the NDMO.
Department of Water Resources & Vanuatu Agricultural Supplies rapid water repairs underway
Private sector support food inventoriesTransport & logistics delivered via private sector
Distribution of food products begins
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
VBRC On the Front Lines of TC Harold Response
A Local climate consultant and VBRC executive member undertook detailed technical damage assessments in 14 of the worst hit villages on West Coast Santo in the hours and days after the cyclone. Traveling by foot and on small boats where available, he worked with local business owners and shop keepers to quantify the loss of cargo and materials, e.g. the destroyed Turihene Cooperative in Wusi Village on West Coast Santo, which lost over 160,000VT worth of rice, fl our and staple biscuit crackers. He also prepared business-focused emergency response recommendations and actions for National Disaster Management Offi ce , including advice on how to access remote settlements with pontoon/sea transport and provide recommendations to NDMO on logistics of immediate response items required. With this input VBRC has been able to calculating the available non-food products (NFI’s) for immediate sale from affected areas (e.g. damaged Kava and Sandalwood) and facilitated private sector engagement to assist in getting this product to market.
Damaged crops
Destroyed homes
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Th rough the rapid assessment and with
messages relayed by satellite communications,
NDMO was advised of severe injuries
aft er cyclone and able to organise the rapid
response which included for example in one
case helicopter evacuation for 2 children
under 10 yrs old with broken legs aft er a
house had collapsed.
Direct support was to local Area Council
on West Coast Santo to prepare short term
recovery plans in a participatory way with
each one of the aff ected villages, using and
prioritizing local knowledge and locally
resources so as not to depend on external
relief (which may have otherwise taken
longer to assemble and relay).
Dr Christopher Bartleett undertaking rapid assessment
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Early Evaluation Private Sector
The private sector was fi rst on the ground in the main effected areas. In Santo many of the vital services such as water and electricity are privately owned and as such the teams were instantly engaged in business continuity and disaster recovery efforts as they were already there. Communications companies Vodafone and Digicel were prepared before the cyclone and immediately put into effect their recovery program.
The VBRC advance team who undertook an aerial survey, met with the power company and facilitated the orders of equipment required. We undertook a marine survey of the domestic shipping vessels to compile what ships were still inoperable for distribution of aid. We also undertook a survey of the airfi eld and runway and reported this back to aviation authorities.
A VBRC executive member is staying in the fi eld doing the west coast of Santo assessment of coastal villages with a Satellite phone.
20% domestic shipping fl eet damaged
LOS School Aore Island
Privately owned VUI power network seriously damaged
Secondary School Luganville
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Very early assessments indicate there are up to 140,000 effected people. Complexities in this situation include our geographical spread. The affected population are widely spread and over at least 6 islands. The principal town in this area was also in the cyclone zone and signifi cantly damaged meaning vesicles that were in that area and could be used to reach the outlying islands were sunk and concerns were grave for airports, wharves and necessary infrastructure.
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Data sources: Vanuatu 2016 mini census, NOAA, Kinetic Analysis Corporation (TAOS) accessed via Pacific Disaster Center’s DisasterAWARE® (https://emops.pdc.org) Technical support: WFP, OCHA Feedback: [email protected] *Pre-existing vulnerability is estimated using a household structural indicator from the 2016 mini-census ¹Forecasts and wind damage estimates based on JTWC advisory 10, issued at 03:00 UTC, 5 Apr
VANUATUEstimated exposure and vulnerability to Cyclone HaroldAs of 5 April 2020
400 8,700
Malampa
38,700
38,700
Sanma
38,800
20,100
Penama
14,500
4,800
Shefa
15,900
13,000
TOTAL
108,000
76,700
TorbaProvince
SanmaProvince
PenamaProvince
MalampaProvince
ShefaProvince
Port Villa
Cyclone Harold
Estimated Wind Impact¹TAOS Model
Catastrophic damage
Severe damage
Widespread damage
Moderate damage
Minor damage
Trees down
Branches breaking
Large trees sway
Small trees sway
5,700 1,800 800
Number of people living in affected areas(exposed to moderate damage and above)
Number of people living in the worst affected areas
(exposed to widespread damage and above)
Number of people living in the worst affected areas with
pre-existing vulnerability*
Total Children (0-14)in worst affected areas
20,200
Total Adults inworst affected areas
52,400
Total Elderly (65+) in worst affected areas
4,100
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Catastrophic Storm Hits Islands
Cyclone Harold made landfall in the northern islands on the 5th and 6th of April. With winds as strong as 250km per hour, the cyclone tore a path across several islands including Santo, Malo, Aore, Northern Malekula, Ambae and Pentecost, creating a belt of destruction across the country’s middle.
In Santo, many of the vital services such as water and electricity are privately owned and as such, the teams were instantly engaged in business continuity and disaster recovery efforts. The Port Vila based business community had already put in place a cluster system with representatives for food, health, water and so on effectively connected to the Government National Disaster Management Offi ce. Daily updates are being communicated and once initial NDMO plans are in place, these will be supported by the private sector.
5thApril
6thApril
Most housing destroyed
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Preparation Prior to Storm
Given the intensity of the forecasted storm and lessons learned from Cyclone Pam that made landfall in Efate and the south in 2015, VBRC and the Chamber was quick to release Cyclone Preparedness Checklists for Business and provide
practical advice on reediness in all three core languages.
Cluster system was already engaged due to the COVID-19 situation. All clusters now prepared for tropical storm Harold. This included:
a. Food inventories zeroed in on potentially affected area and more detailed data prepared. Food preservation guidelines provided
b. Logistics cluster prepared private vesicles to fuel up and standby for immediate readiness to respond – especial planes/helicopters
c. Communications cluster engaged local support companies and readied
inventories required to repair communications networks
d. Meetings intensifi ed with Government Partners for readiness and rapid response plans put in place
e. International enquiries being received on how best to support the pending situation – NDMO to lead on international response and issue directives to the international aid community.
Jeklis blong mekem rere bisnis long taem blong saeklon Sapose yu lukaotem gud bisnis mo propeti blong yu long taem blong saeklon mo ol difren nogud weta, bambae yu save operetem bisnis blong yu bakeken afta long wan event. Emia nao samfala samting we yu save mekem blo lukaotem gud bisnis blong yu long taem blong wan saeklon:
KOMINIKESEN BLONG OL WOKMAN
Printimaot kontak lis blo ol wokman mo serem wetem ol ki wokman. Mekemsua se I gat ol fon namba, imel adres mo ol releven ples we everi wokman ia I stap long hem sapose yu nidim blong sapotem olgeta long saed blong transpot afta long wan saeklon.
Jusum kontak blong wan wokman we I save tekem lid – igud blong jusum wan we i pat blong bisnis disisen meking proses, from ol wokman mo kastoma oli save kasem hem bifo o afta long saeklon. Hemia I mekem se ol wokman I filim se oli sef mo bambae wokman ia we I tekem lid bambae I save kasem ol wokman afta long saeklon blo talemaot ol apdet from wokples mo wataem bambae oli kambak long wok.
Mekemsua se ki wokman insaed long bisnis igat inaf fon kredit bifo saeklon blong gat kontak wetem ol wokman mo jekem olgeta.
KOMINIKESEN BLONG OL KASTOMA
Printimaot kontak lis blong ol top o ki kastoma we I gat releven kontaks mo kipim wetem manejmen sapose oli nidim blong kontaktem ol kastoma.
Talemaot long ol kastoma tru long wan,”NOTIS” long entrens we I tokabaot taem blong klos mo taem we bambae bisnis I open bakeken
Bukum taem blo ol miting bakeken mo talemaot ol jenses iko from ol oda mo dilivari long ol kastoma
3rdApril
Tropical Cyclone Harold – Category 5
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Focus Shifts to Relief
Following the announcement of the Vanuatu Government’s Economic & Financial Stimulus Package, VCCI partnered with the Department
of Finance to deliver support to Employers and Employees on in three core areas:
1. Tax Relief
2. Employment Stabilisation Payment
3. Business Support Program (business license refund and one-off payment)
While fi nancial means are now being put in place for payments by the Vanuatu Government, VCCI is releasing information about the package tobusinesses and is establishing a hotline for supporting Employees and Employers. Documentation is prepared in English, French, Bislama and Chinese.
31stMarch
Partnership with Business LinkPacifi c – providing up to 100%subsidies to local businesses
The COVID-19 Subsidy covers up to 100% of services through BLP approved advisors focusing on services that support business continuity, contingency planning and access to available fi nancial packages. Refi nancing and renegotiating loans and new working setups, such as IT systems, access to communications platforms and cloud-based software. The subsidy package will cover services for up to NZD 5,000 per SME and further support will be considered on a case-by-case approach.
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Invitation to Support Government
Led by trainer Irene Titek, the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council (VBRC) was invited by the Public Service
Commission to provide business continuity planning training to senior government offi cials and heads of departments. These tools and processes were quickly adopted by the Vanuatu Government for their business continuity plans.
25thMarch
Economic Affects Intensify
While initial efforts focused on COVID-19 preparedness and business and health measures, as the situation intensifi ed, it became apparent that the effect on the economy of Vanuatu would be signifi cant. Given that up to 40% of GDP is generated from tourism, the closing of the boarders on 20th of March was an important health measure but also a dramatic blow to the business community. At that stage, liaison with Government increased and discussion moved to one of fi nding appropriate ways to support the Government with relief response. Key economic advisors were made available to support the Government with necessary decisions.
VCCI initiated a business owner’s survey to gather vital data on affect to businesses. Initial responses indicated that even early on, up to
40% of businesses surveyed were closed or closing and 30% had already made staff redundant. This data was shared appropriately to support Government decision making.
Powered by
Key Initial Findings Include
61% of respondents are Extremely Worried about the affect of COVID-19 ontheir Business
Approx. 40% of respondents have now closed their business or are soonto do so
Approx. 30% of respondents have made staff redundant already
77% of respondents have already put staff on reduced hours
Approx. 90% of respondents wish to see affected staff having access toVNPF funds
25thMarch
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Activated Cluster System For Co-Ordinated Response
VBRC Activated cluster system to ensure each of the key areas had a focal representative from the private sector to meet as required with Government and NGO’s.
Implemented specifi c communications protocols to be able to rapidly share information within groups as required by the situation with electronic reporting to shared Google Drive, dedicated WhatsApp groups and Zoom interactive meeting tools for online meeting access.
17thMarch
CCDRR / Business Advisory Services
Banking and Finance
Other Sectors / Industries
Donor / Development Partner
(GGGI, UNDP, GIZ)
Civil SocietyVanuatu ClimateAction Network
Transport / Shipping and Logistics
Construction / Infrastructure
Food Securityand Agriculture Tourism
VCCIGovernment
Ministry of Climate Change
Telecommunications / ICT
Executive Committee(Cluster/Sector Specifi c)
Successful Communications
Local communications company Pandanus Consulting Ltd provided a co-funded solution with both their own funding and support from Business Link Pacifi c to enable the Chamber to access increased and professional communications services.
The focus has been on achieving effective communication with Employers and Employees and included segmenting the audience and appropriately addressing communications in English, Bislama and French. Increasing social media presence was a very effective means to communicate with more people in a quick and responsive way. This has improved the role of the Chamber as it is now seen as providing timely, important and clear information. Short videos were developed to provide explanations or examples to complex economic matters, in a simple way that could be understood by everyone including those with less literacy.
20thMarch
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Business Continuity Workshops Supporting Businesses
The teams have provided training to businesses in four provinces during 2019 and have supported over 200 businesses with Business Continuity Planning. These workshops took place in Port Vila. Lenekal, Lakatoro and Luganville.
The workshops were quickly adapted to the COVID-19 situation and additional courses for businesses were held.
Delivery of workshop was made possible by the fi nancial support of
Port Vila
Sola,Banks
Islands
Santo Northern
Island
10thMarch
12thMarch
17thMarch
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COVID-19 Vanuatu 2020 A Rapid & Practical Response 15 Feb - 9 Apr 2020
Additional activities you can undertake to prepare your business
Consider the Health
Personal Hygiene
Workplace hygiene
Money matters
Communications – get your messages ready
VBRC |
DO NOT PANICWe advise to take a “hoping for the best, planning for the worst” approach to planning for
email [email protected]
Guide on Business Preparedness Planning
for COVID-19
Tips for employees
Keep healthy
Personal and home hygiene
Food security
Cash
Medication
VBRC |
DO NOT PANICWe advise to take a “hoping for the best, planning for the worst” approach to
VBRC |
Ol narafala aksen we yu save mekem blo mekem rere bisnis
Helt mo sefti blong ol wokman emi impoten
Ol samting blo mekem blong yu wan yu stap kiln oltaem
Ol samting blo mekem long wok blong emi stap klin oltaem
Toktok wetem ol wokman blong yu long posibiliti se bae save kasem wan taem we oli save wok nomo lo haus/ taem blong wok bae emi smol nomo
Mani emi impoten
YU SHUD NO FRAET
Ol samting blong save we emi save helpem ol wokman
Stap helti oltaem
Lukaotem gud yu wan mo haus blong yu
Ol samting blong usum blo klinim mo kilim bebet blo sik emi sas mo emi save
Security blong kakai
Mane
Ol meresin blong sik
VBRC |
YU SHUD NO FRAET
Business Preparedness PlanHow to guide
CHECKLISTS
Kaed Blong Mekem Rere Wan Bisnis
JEKLISS
Business Preparedness Plan
Mekem Rere Bisnis Plan
WWW.VBRC.VU
WWW.VBRC.VU
Resources Supporting Business
28thFeb
Core guides were released in English and Bislama. These documents included Business Continuity Guides tailored to the COVID-19 situation, Health Guides for employers explaining how to keep the workplace and employees safe and healthy and Business Planning checklists. These were extremely well received and widely used in the business community.