Empowering Disaster Resilience

To respond to increasing challenges resulting from the effects of climate change, and heightened the risks to remote communities.

Vanuatu has a high exposure to natural hazards, such as cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and droughts, with limited capacity to deal with their impacts, especially in rural and remote areas.
The lack of reliable and timely information and communication systems that can facilitate the assessment of needs and the delivery of assistance to affected communities.
The limited availability and accessibility of life saving supplies, such as emergency food, water, shelter, medicine and fuel, essential for survival and recovery.
The disruption of transport and logistics networks that can hamper the movement of personnel and materials to and from remote areas.
The risk of secondary hazards and disasters that can exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities and damages, such as disease outbreaks, landslides, fires and looting.

HELPR-1 was the first response vessel on scene following the 2023 twin cyclones event, clearing vital access roads and access to health and other community facilities, checking for casualties, transporting essential food supplies, and producing fresh water onboard. HELPR-1 has responded to 3 cyclones in the past 12 months.
Disaster preparedness training in chainsaw use and debris clearing was given to the crew and local responders, which proved to be timely when the cyclones hit a few months later. HELPR-1 provides a floating and movable training base, providing accommodation, catering, and onboard operational and logistics support.
HELPR-1 has responded to several search and rescue missions, both long-range and multi-day responses, which resulted in lives saves in a number of incidents. The vessel is always on standby to respond to and assist with search and rescue missions.
During the cyclone response, HELPR-1 was a floating emergency operations center, with numerous response teams using it a base during this time, with support from the onboard medical and operational teams.