“Vanuatu Shaken Again: UN Emergency Teams Deploy Amidst Twin Quake Crisis”

A state of emergency persists throughout the island nation, and a seven-day curfew from sunset to dawn in regions of Port Vila was intended to conclude on 24 December. The access road to the seaport is also reportedly obstructed.

The subsequent earthquake intensified worries, with further notifications regarding its consequences, including the reopening of Port Vila airport to commercial flights, still pending.

Humanitarian Requirements

As of Saturday night (local time), over 80,000 individuals have been impacted by Tuesday’s earthquake, with nearly 1,700 people temporarily displaced. Eleven evacuation centers are accommodating more than 1,200 individuals, while others are residing with host families.

Immediate requirements consist of access to potable water, nourishment, and healthcare, as communities confront increasing threats of waterborne illnesses.

Health services are also noted to be extremely pressured, with Vanuatu Central Hospital (VCH) needing vital medical supplies and coordinated surge assistance to address significant shortages.

Vanuatu earthquake Impact in Shefa province (as of 21 December 2024).

Coordinated Action

In light of the escalating crisis, a humanitarian flight managed by the UN World Food Programme (WFP)’s Pacific Humanitarian Air Service (PHAS) arrived in Port Vila on Saturday, delivering surge teams from UN agencies, humanitarian partners, and relief materials.

Agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) are collaborating with national authorities to support the efforts.

UNFPA has set up maternity tents at VCH, while UNICEF has arranged four tents to handle patient overflow and deployed child protection teams to assist families and healthcare personnel.

UNICEF has also provided bladder water tanks to VCH to guarantee continued access to clean water.

WFP has dispatched emergency telecommunications specialists to restore disrupted communication networks vital for coordinating relief actions. It is also collaborating with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and partners to evaluate food security requirements.

Moreover, the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) is executing satellite-based damage assessments to inform resource distribution and prioritize affected regions.

Humanitarian collaborators, including Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), are also offering on-the-ground support alongside national response teams.

Prompt response essential

Alpha Bah, Director for WFP Pacific Multi-Country Office, located in Fiji, emphasized the importance of a prompt response for the families impacted.

“We are grieved by the loss of lives and devastation to property caused by this earthquake. This collaborative effort is vital to ensure that individuals affected by the earthquake receive timely and crucial assistance,” he remarked.

“WFP is committed to assisting the NDMO and other national bodies, and we will keep amplifying our efforts to enhance Vanuatu’s response amidst this crisis.”