Pacific Humanitarian Team - Vanuatu: Earthquake - Situation Report (26 December 2024)

This report is produced by OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands in collaboration with humanitarian partners under the Pacific Humanitarian Team. It covers the period from 17 to 26 December 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ten days after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake, the humanitarian response continues in Vanuatu under the leadership of the Government.

• Aftershocks are ongoing and at time of reporting Vanuatu is experiencing a tropical low bringing heavy rainfall (likely 100 millimetres or more in a 24-hour period), which poses a high risk of landslides and building collapse.

• The Ministry of Health has confirmed 14 fatalities (eight males, five females, one unknown) and 265 injuries, with 11 surgical cases admitted at Vanuatu Central Hospital (VHC).

• As of 24 December 2024, 2,435 individuals remain displaced across six evacuation centres and 67 host households (HH).

• The State of Emergency (SoE) ended on 24 December 2024. According to the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act of 17 November 2024 operations transition to the National Recovery Committee (NRC) under the Prime Minister’s Office. The coordination responsibility passed from the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) to the Recovery Operations Centre (ROC) which was activated on 25 December.

• Some roads are still blocked in Efate, including access to the main commercial Sea Port.

• Key infrastructure, including Tagabe bridge, sustained significant damage and are at high risk of collapse if heavy rainfall and aftershocks continue.

• Communication challenges persist with intermittent connectivity and limited internet coverage.

• Key immediate needs include healthcare support, emergency shelter, access to food and water, protection, psychological support and the restoration of communication networks.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The situation in Vanuatu remains critical following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on December 17, 2024. Aftershocks are ongoing and Vanuatu is currently experiencing a tropical low carrying heavy rains (100 millimetres or more in a 24-hour period), which poses a high risk of landslides and building collapse.

Infrastructure damage is extensive, with landslides obstructing road and route access in Efate and the outer islands, including to the main Sea Port. Telecommunication services are being restored gradually. Domestic mobile phone communication is functional but with intermittent disruptions, while international phone services (voice and SMS) remain stable. Internet services, however, are still down on Efate island, complicating coordination efforts. Access to the Government Broadband Network (GBN) has been restored by the Department of Communications and Digital Transformation (DCDT). Most banking services in Port Vila have been restored although some ATMs are still non-operational due to a lack of power access.

The SoE ended on 24 December 2024. According to Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act of 17 November 2024 operations transition to the NRC under the Prime Minister’s Office. Coordination responsibility passed from the NEOC to the ROC which was activated on 25 December.