Attachments
To date, this Emergency Appeal, which seeks CHF 5,200,000 is 28 per cent funded including bilateral contributions. Further funding contributions are needed to enable the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, with the support of the IFRC, to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the cyclone-affected people in Vanuatu.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the crisis
On 17 December 2024, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck 30 kilometres west of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, at a depth of 57 kilometres, causing widespread damage. The earthquake triggered landslides, damaged buildings, and severely impacted infrastructure and essential services. Since then, multiple aftershocks, including 15 over magnitude 5.0 and one at 6.1, have increased the risk of further damage.
According to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), approximately 80,000 people (25 per cent of Vanuatu’s population) were affected, with Efate and nearby islands worst hit. An estimated 36,000 people in Port Vila were directly affected.
The destruction disrupted telecommunications, electricity, and water supplies, heightening health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. Port Vila’s main hospital, schools, and two major water reservoirs sustained severe damage, leaving thousands without medical care or clean water. Reservoir damage also caused flash floods in nearby homes.
Landslides and debris blocked roads and damaged airstrips, restricting access to affected areas. Some homes suffered severe damage, and the closure of a key wharf in Port Vila has disrupted shipping. The Tagabe bridge is now restricted to heavy vehicles, forcing detours, while rockfalls blocking watercourses pose a flood risk.
Port Vila’s central business district has been cordoned off due to collapsed buildings, affecting businesses, vendors, and employment. The main market remains closed, though some vendors are operating in alternative locations. Long-term lack of urban planning and poor construction techniques contributed to damage in informal settlements. Vanuatu was already struggling with limited clean water, poor sanitation, and healthcare access. These pre-existing challenges have exacerbated the earthquake’s humanitarian impact.
The Government of Vanuatu initially declared a seven-day State of Emergency, activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, and requested Red Cross assistance. The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), with IFRC support, mobilized volunteers for emergency relief, health support, and needs assessments. After the emergency period ended on 24 December, the Government established a Recovery Operation Centre (ROC). In early January, the Director of the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning, and Aid Coordination (DSPPAC) and Chairman of the ROC estimated CHF 217M (VT29B) was needed for recovery efforts.1
Operational challenges, damaged infrastructure, and a lack of comprehensive assessment data have hindered relief efforts. Coordinated international support is urgently needed to address immediate needs and support early recovery.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu has had extensive humanitarian impacts.