Attachments
Overview
On the 17th of December, a 7.3 earthquake hit near the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila causing major damage. Current advice as at the 20th December from the National Disaster Management Office, there has been a number of lives lost, 8 survivors retrieved from collapsed buildings, and over 210 injured being treated at the main hospital. It is unknown how many injured are being treated at mobile clinics etc. These numbers will continue to increase over the coming days. Major structural damage was sustained to many buildings, roads and bridges and power, water, mobile phone and internet coverage was also initially virtually all cut off and continues to be majorly disrupted. Landslides were also experienced in many areas with significant impact. A State of Emergency was immediately declared throughout the worst affected areas of Vanuatu for a period of seven days.
On the 18 th of December the Vanuatu government formally requested international support to assist with recovery, particularly with USAR teams on the ground, emergency medical teams, structural engineers to assess buildings and environmental emergency specialist. Other identified immediate needs that have been included in NDMO SitReports include: medical supplies and repairs to damage medical structures, safe shelter for evacuees, restoration of power and energy supplies to essential services (clinics and retail shops), restoration of network and communication services, safe drinking water and jerry cans.
The Vanuatu Government, through the National Disaster Management Office has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and implemented its sector-based cluster mechanisms in WASH, Logistics, Health, Emergency and Telecommunications, Education and Displacement Evacuation Centre Management.
International support has already been committed and is being deployed by Governments of Australia, New Zealand, France, China amongst others.
In country INGOs such as UNICEF, Red Cross, Save the Children, World Vision, Care amongst others are also working with the NDMO and cluster approach to provide assistance to communities.
FALE Pasifika has also immediately reactivated its What’s app group. The group consists of representatives from each of the six Pacific Fale’s along with international partners. It is a critical source for confirming the safety of staff, sharing information and resources across the different coordination mechanisms in Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia and Asia.
FALE Vanuatu which is housed by VANGO in Port Vila, have been connecting with its community-based partners since soon after the earthquake, despite its own office being damaged. It’s Steering Committee (SC) are working closely with the government through the NDMO structure to provide response efforts and develop a clear plan for the coming days and weeks as response and recovery needs of the population are identified. At this stage, it is being represented at the WASH cluster meetings. Initial assessments of the communities of its member organisations have already been undertaken and will continue over the coming days.
On the 19th December, NDMO confirmed approval for FALE Vanuatu to provide direct support to its member organisations. Any additional needs identified should be communicated through the appropriate clusters. Support provided through FALE members should be recorded on the appropriate NDMO template delivery form.