Pacific Humanitarian Team - Vanuatu: Earthquake - Situation Report (7 January 2025)

This report is produced by the OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands in collaboration with humanitarian partners under the Pacific Humanitarian Team. It covers the period from 26 December 2024 to 7 January 2025.

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

SITUATION OVERVIEW

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. The earthquake has resulted in at least 14 fatalities and more than 265 injuries. 1,092 people remain temporarily displaced, 570 houses have been damaged affecting 2,850 people.

Infrastructure damage is extensive, with landslides obstructing road access to Efate and the outer islands, including the main seaport. The two major water reserves in the Ohlen area, which supply water to Port Vila, have been completely destroyed and require reconstruction. The earthquake has impacted the functioning of Vila Central Hospital (VCH) and health clinics in Shefa province. Presently, the hospital is operational, with water quality at VCH confirmed as safe by the Department of Water Resources. A physical inspection of the National Vaccine Store confirmed that there are no major structural damages and the vaccines are safe.

In the education sector, 110 classrooms across 45 schools have been partially or completely damaged. The Central Business District (CBD) area of Port Vila remains closed, and many small to medium enterprises and communities have lost livelihood assets. Telecommunication services are being restored.

The State of Emergency (SoE) ended on December 24, 2024. In accordance with the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act of November 17, 2024, leadership of the recovery operations has transitioned to the Prime Minister's Office, with coordination held by the Recovery Operations Centre (ROC). The Port Vila and Efate Earthquake Recovery and Resilience Plan was presented to international partners on January 2.