Cyclone Responses 2023

Rapid response
Being flagged in Vanuatu and stationed there full-time, HELPR-1 was the first response vessel to be able to assist the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) to conduct on-ground assessments of casualties and critical infrastructure, in response to the cyclone events of 2023.

Debris-clearing
The HELPR-1 team cleared key access roads in the first few days and reinstated access to health clinics and other buildings, making sure they were safe in the aftermath of the cyclones.

Water & food delivery
The vessel has its own onboard desalination plant, which allowed it to provide over 20,000 litres of fresh drinking water to desperate villagers. Three 5,000-litre replacement water tanks were transported on the bow of the vessel and offloaded by hand. Many crops were destroyed, so over 10 tonnes of rice was delivered to communities in the first week of TC Kevin & Judy’s impact.

Medical care and restoration of health access
We transported Vanuatu Medical Assistance Teams (VanMAT), supported by the HELPR-1 medical team to conduct health assessments, lifesaving treatment and patient transfers and to help restore critical health services (including maternity, vaccination and outpatient care).

Transporting national & provincial response teams
The HELPR-1 and Respond Global teams worked closely with the NDMO and Provincial Health Councils, to provide support for the transportation of national and provincial response teams, and delivery of emergency supplies on behalf of a number of global aid agencies.