Category 5 Cyclone Harold swept across the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, on April 6, leaving devastation in its wake
Photo: Glen Craig
Category 5 Cyclone Harold swept across the South Pacific island of Vanuatu, on April 6, leaving devastation in its wake. Aid and relief efforts are ramping up but highly complicated by Vanuatu currently being free of the Corona virus. Cash infusion to the disaster relief organizations in place on the ground will maximize their ability to deliver aid within the constraints of Covid-19 mitigation protocols in place for incoming aid. YachtAid Global’s Operation Nasama will provide that infusion with 100% of funds going to Vanuatu.
Thank you in advance for helping the people of Vanuatu by sharing this information.
Photo by: Sheldon Raindbow
YachtAid Global Launches Operation Nasama Relief Fund for Vanuatu
100% of Donated Funds to Provide Cyclone Harold Relief to Vanuatu
(San Diego, Ca, April 14, 2020) – Operation Nasama, a disaster relief fundraising initiative for Vanuatu in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Harold, has been launched by YachtAid Global in partnership with Virginia Craig of Port of Call Vanuatu and Justin Jenkin of Seal Superyachts Vanuatu and supported by Fruit of the Pacific New Zealand, Noumea Ocean New Caledonia and Yacht Help Fiji. Operation Nasama was named in honor of the native word for the island nations outrigger canoes.
100% of the monetary donations contributed to Operation Nasama will fund disaster relief and supplies for the communities and islands across Vanuatu through relief organizations already in place in the country. Relief may include emergency water, food, hygiene, medical and shelter supplies as well as longer-term recovery aid and assistance.
YachtAid Global is strictly serving as a communications and funding mechanism within Operation Nasama during the initial phases of the relief efforts and is not organizing vessels to help with distribution or physical aid at this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The link to the secure payment gateway for Operation Nasama is: http://yachtaidglobal.org/campaigns/cyclone-harold-relief-for-vanuatu
Strictly regulated sanitization and distribution of relief and supplies, operating under the regulation and protocols of the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (VNDMO), is critical to the prevention of the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic from spreading to the islands. The preventative measures are complicating logistics and distribution of relief and the necessary suspension of coronavirus social distancing measures for evacuees is adding weight to the crisis.
Category-5 Cyclone Harold, one of the strongest storms to ever hit Vanuatu, and strongest ever to hit the island of Espiritu Santo, made landfall on April 6 with heavy rainfall, flash flooding, life- threatening storm surge and reported wind gusts of over 300 kph. The storm caused extensive damage, stripping trees, flattening buildings, homes and schools, cutting power, destroying food and water supplies and leaving a reported 159,000+ people in need of water, food, shelter and communications.
YachtAid Global will continue to provide support to Operation Nasama partner organizations to provide short and long-term support for survivors of this natural disaster. The people of Vanuatu, who provide amazing hospitality, experiences and enjoyment to visiting yachts need the support of the yachting community to help them rebuild their lives, homes, and communities right now and in the years ahead. Please donate to operation Nasama today.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For photography, interview requests or additional information on the Operation Nasama Cyclone Harold Relief to Vanuatu, contact K.C. Wenger, YachtAid Global Public Relations at kcwenger@yachtaidglobal.org and/or +1-717-572-2779.
About Operation Nasama Founding Partners:
Port of Call Vanuatu, run by Virginia Craig, is a yacht services agency based in Port Vila. Virginia is our key person on the ground in Port Vila, actively identifying and engaging with key NGO, private and government connections. She is on the Logistics Cluster and working with border control daily and has an intimate knowledge of Vanuatu anchorages. She speaks the local language, Bishlama, fluently and has a strong understanding of the cultural context. Her team in New Zealand and New Caledonia are positioned to support both the coordination of local and international vessels, delivery of aid via sea freight, oversee and support the implementation of covid-19 safety precautions and communicate clear directives from the Vanuatu Government regarding aid delivery. Information at: www.portofcallvanuatu.com
SEAL Superyachts Vanuatu, a yacht services agency established in 2010 operated by Justin Jenkins, provides high end superyacht support agency, guiding and consultancy services throughout the Vanuatu Archipelago. The agency has expertise in humanitarian aid as it works closely within all the outer island communities and facilitates direct aid from donor partners to support communities in need. Justin has been very involved in supporting disaster relief operations such as the Ambae Volcano Disaster and other regular humanitarian project work, which is accomplished in cooperation with several superyacht clients and other donor partners. Information at: www.seal-superyachts.com
Fruit of the Pacific is a NZ based charitable trust, operated by CEO Kylie DellaBarca Steel, endeavoring to support the transformation of Pacific communities to places where men, women, and children all thrive in an environment of honor and prosperity. Kylie is a national and international strategic implementor who was in Port Vila working in Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health on a national oral health program when Cyclone Pam hit in 2015. She went on to coordinate and deliver "Te Puke Tanna" a disaster relief and rebuild program in the months and years following cyclone Pam and has a proven track record of coordinating and delivering significant projects of scale nationally and internationally. Information at: www.fruitofthepacific.org
Noumea Ocean, a superyacht support agent operated and managed by Chloe Morin and located in the Port du Sud Marina, New Caledonia, provides cruising itineraries, reservations for travel, dining, entertainment, accommodation, medical assistance, a full range of marine facilities, including berthage for yachts of all sizes, quality fuel, chandleries, repair services, shipyards, food and beverage suppliers, and efficient shipping. Information at: https://newcaledoniasuperyachtagent.com/index.html
Yacht Help Fiji, based in Port Denarau Marina, Nadi Fiji and managed by David Jamieson, is a professional super yacht and yacht support services agency, as well as offering parts supply, refit and repair, project management, chandlery, chart agency, charter and brokerage services to the yachting community across locations at three major marinas in Fiji – Port Denarau Marina, Vuda Marina & Nawi Island Marina. Information at: www.yachthelp.com
YachtAid Global (YAG) is a registered 501(c)(3), operating at the highest levels of international non-profit work across coastal communities worldwide.
The organization’s humanitarian aid, conservation programs, and disaster relief responses are successfully implemented through a vetted network of NGOs, agents, government agencies, brokers and charities, in combination with YachtAid Global’s provision of consultation, leadership, and logistics management, at local and global levels, for superyachts interested in participating in the execution of the altruistic activities.
Since 2006, YachtAid Global has engaged 250+ yachts across 175+ projects over 25+ countries in timely, agenda-free projects that saved lives, built stronger communities and enabled YachtAid Global’s partner donors, businesses and yachts to contribute to the world around them and leave lasting philanthropic footprints across global coastal communities. Contact YachtAid Global to learn more about programs, emerging initiatives or to support the organization as they continue “Changing the World Without Changing Course.”
Information at: www.yachtaidglobal.org
