Vanuatu Earthquake: Flash Update No. 3, As of 19 December 2024 – 23:00 local time

Highlights

• The death toll rose to 10, according to the Ministry of Health, including 2 people identified as Chinese citizens and more than 200 injured.

• Approximately 80,000 people have been directly affected by the earthquake, of which 14,104 are children and 769 are persons with disabilities (PWD).

• The Disaster Evacuation Centre Management Cluster (DEMC) reports that 947 people have been displaced. The number may increase as assessments are ongoing.

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

• The Government of Vanuatu has issued an Instrument of Directions to government agencies to guide the response efforts. National Cluster Response is ongoing.

• The Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) has made available US $1 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)'s rapid response window to support life-saving humanitarian relief in Vanuatu.

• The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) is supporting the national cluster response and the Pacific Humanitarian Aviation Service (PHAS) is being activated to transport humanitarian personnel and cargo from Fiji to Port Vila.

• Prima DC, the company responsible for managing the internet landing cable, incurred significant damage due to a power outage. The leakages pose a significant risk to water supplies for Port Vila and surrounding villages. An urgent environmental assessment is needed to prevent a potential ecological disaster.

• The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Australia and New Zealand have arrived in Port Villa. • Advance Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from New Zealand and Australia have arrived in Port Vila to support local health services.