Attachments
Highlights
• In response to the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu, WFP deployed a multi-sectoral team to support the Government of Vanuatu’s response efforts. This included activating the Pacific Humanitarian Air Service to facilitate the transport of humanitarian personnel and cargo, deploying five staff, and established emergency telecommunications services, satellite connectivity, and mobile storage units.
• WFP completed a round of remote data collection in Vanuatu using its mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (mVAM) tool.
• WFP signed four tripartite agreements with the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company and the Governments of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa, allocating an additional USD 1 million to top up macro insurance premiums for cyclone coverage.
Operational Updates
Vanuatu Earthquake Response
• On 17 December, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the main island of Vanuatu, followed by several aftershocks in the same region. In response, WFP deployed a multi-sectoral team to support the Government of Vanuatu, in areas of logistics, emergency telecommunications, food security, and emergency coordination. A team of five staff worked closely with key government ministries and clusters to ensure effective relief efforts.
• From 17 to 21 December, the Port Vila airport was non-operational. WFP, with the approval of the Government of Vanuatu, activated the Pacific Humanitarian Air Service (PHAS), which arrived in Port Vila on 21 December. The PHAS provided vital air services to transport humanitarian personnel from the United Nations, the humanitarian community and development partners together with critical relief supplies to Port Vila, supporting the Government and humanitarian community in restoring services and ensuring a rapid response to the earthquake.
• At the request of the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), WFP deployed and established mobile storage units, offering secure and temporary storage solutions for humanitarian relief items and a temporary office for the NDMO in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. WFP deployed a logistics expert stationed with the NDMO to support them in leading overall response coordination and information management, including facilitating requests for assistance, clearing and handing over relief items.
• The WFP-led Emergency Telecommunications Cluster deployed emergency telecommunications services and satellite connectivity equipment to support key government agencies and humanitarian actors, providing critical connectivity to national responders
• WFP supported the Vanuatu Food Security and Agriculture Cluster (FSAC) in distributing relief food items (10-day dry food rations) to 2,000 displaced people and their host families, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.WFP also deployed an emergency coordinator to ensure effective coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance, supporting the Government of Vanuatu’s response efforts