Local Response in a Global Pandemic: A case study of the Red Cross response to Tropical Cyclone Harold during COVID-19 in Vanuatu and Fiji

This case study explores the dual impact of Tropical Cyclone Harold and the Covid-19 pandemic in Vanuatu and Fiji, and the lessons it provides on the localisation of humanitarian response.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic meant that the provision of international surge support during the Category Five Tropical Cyclone was highly restricted. These circumstances provided a rare example of locally-led humanitarian response to a natural disaster where in-country international response was largely absent.