Attachments
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
Overview of the Earthquake and Its Impact
On 17 December 2024, a 7.3-magnitude quake, centred 30 kilometres west of Port Vila at a depth of 57 kilometres, caused extensive destruction across Efate and nearby islands, triggering landslides and collapsing buildings while severely damaging roads, water systems, and communications. An estimated 80,000 people, about a quarter of the national population, were affected, with 14 deaths, 265 injuries, and more than 2,400 people displaced. Critical infrastructure, including the main hospital, schools, and two major water reservoirs, sustained heavy damage, leaving essential services disrupted for weeks. The Government of Vanuatu declared a State of Emergency, activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, and coordinated with humanitarian partners, including the Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) with support from IFRC and Movement partners, who provided rapid assessments, emergency shelter, WASH, and health assistance.
To scale up the response, IFRC launched a CHF 5 million Emergency Appeal, complemented by bilateral partner contributions. When the emergency phase ended on 24 December 2024, coordination transitioned to recovery under the newly established Recovery Operation Centre (ROC) and the national Earthquake Recovery and Resilience Plan, valued at 26 billion Vatu (approx. CHF 190 million). By mid-2025, recovery was underway but remained challenged by funding gaps, damaged infrastructure, and slow economic recovery. Many households continued living in damaged homes, while reconstruction of public facilities and livelihoods restoration required sustained international and Movement support to strengthen community resilience. Between July and October 2025, no new major seismic events were recorded, and Vanuatu’s situation remained stable following the 17 December 2024 earthquake. However, recovery conditions continued to evolve, with gradual improvements in infrastructure, livelihoods, and social services across Efate and nearby islands.
By this period, reconstruction of damaged homes, schools, and water systems had accelerated under government coordination through the Recovery and Resilience Operation Centre (ROC), with VRCS maintaining active leadership in Shelter and WASH clusters. Public infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, had resumed partial to full operation, supported by communitybased repair initiatives and donor-funded recovery programmes. Most displaced households had returned home, though many continued rebuilding with support from conditional cash and shelter assistance. Overall, the crisis context shifted from emergency relief to recovery and resilience-building. While the earthquake’s physical damage remains visible, the national focus has transitioned to long-term reconstruction, livelihood restoration, and risk-reduction planning, with VRCS playing a sustained role in community-level rehabilitation and preparedness.