Attachments
The ETC in the Pacific was activated in 2016 under the structure of the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) to support telecommunications preparedness in the region. The ETC in the Pacific is currently supporting the emergency response to Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin which hit Vanuatu on 1 and 3 March 2023, as well as two 6.6 and 5.4 magnitude earthquakes which occurred on 3 March 2023.
Highlights
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The ETC in the Pacific is engaging with government stakeholders ― including the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Office of the Government Chief Information Office (OGCIO) ― to assess the situation and mobilise support to meet the immediate ICT needs of the emergency response following Tropical Cyclones Judy and Kevin which hit Vanuatu on 1 and 3 March 2023, as well as two 6.6 and 5.4 magnitude earthquakes which occurred on 3 March 2023.
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A telecommunications specialist from WFP FITTEST arrived in Vanuatu on 9 March to support the response. An additional FITTEST specialist will deploy on 16 March. Both specialists will be based in Port Vila and travel to other affected areas as required.
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An initial rapid ICT assessment confirmed that telecommunications services are operational in Port Vila. Assessments of other affected islands are planned.
Situation overview
The national authorities in Vanuatu declared a state of emergency on 3 March. Tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin ― both category 4 intensity ― made landfall in Vanuatu on 1 and 3 March causing widespread destruction across several of Vanuatu’s islands.
On 3 March, earthquakes of 6.6 and 5.4 magnitude were detected off the island of Espiritu Santo. No tsunami warning was issued, and no casualties reported.
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) of Vanuatu indicates that 251,346 people have been affected by the cyclones ― about 80 per cent of the population. Four priority areas have been identified: 1) Shefa and Tafea, 2) Penama and Malampa, 3) the northern region of Penama Province as well as the western region of Malampa Province, and 4) Sanma. The NDMO Rapid Assessment Teams finalized their reports for Shefa and Tafea provinces. Rapid sectoral assessments in the other provinces are still ongoing.
There are currently 5,156 people registered in 106 evacuation centres in Shefa and Tafea.
The Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that all airports are now approved for commercial passenger flights, with the exception of Lamap, Paama, Pele, Emae and Valesdir which remain closed for repairs. Fiji Airways resumed flights from Fiji to Vanuatu on Thursday 9 March following the repair of airport navigation equipment.
Roads have been cleared of collapsed trees and other debris in Port Vila. As of 13 March, the Vanuatu NDMO indicates that approximately 74% of the arterial road network is now accessible throughout Vanuatu.