07-01-25

Highlights:




• The situation in Vanuatu remains critical following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on December 17, 2024. Ongoing aftershocks pose a high risk of landslides and building collapses.
• A total of 14 fatalities and more than 265 injuries have been confirmed. 1,092 people remain temporarily displaced, 570 houses have been damaged affecting 2,850 people.
• 110 classrooms across 45 schools have been partially or completely damaged.
• The State of Emergency (SoE) concluded on December 24, with the coordination of recovery operations transitioning to the Recovery Operations Centre (ROC) under the Prime Minister's Office. The Port Vila and Efate Earthquake Recovery and Resilience Plan was presented to international partners on January 2.
• The humanitarian response, conducted by the national clusters supported by the Pacific Humanitarian Team and coordinated by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), continues to address the needs identified during the SoE.





Key Humanitarian Priorities:



• Health Services: Urgent restoration of water supply to all health facilities in Efate and Vanuatu Central Hospital (VHC). Medical supplies are at minimum threshold at VHC. Psychological support is needed for healthcare workers and patients.
• WASH: Provide affected communities with safe water, hygiene kits (including menstrual hygiene management supplies), emergency latrines with handwashing facilities, and targeted awareness campaigns. Prioritize restoration of water supply at the hospital.
• Shelter: Provide assistance to temporarily displaced persons in and out of shelters.
• Food& Water Supply: Distribute food aid and ensure access to clean drinking water, addressing the damage to water reserves.
• Logistics & Communication: Continue restoring transport and internet services to further strengthen response capacity.

To follow up on the analysis and planning, please visit the following resources:

• Live Web Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f3053484cfbd4b5bac1bc87c1c8cef42/page/UNOSAT/


• GDACS SMCS Event Page: https://smcs-unosat.web.cern.ch/event/387

In response to the offer of assistance by UN, The following capacity is being requested.

• USAR teams
• EMT
• Structural Engineers to assess impacted building
• Environmental emergency experts.