Vanuatu Earthquake: Flash Update No. 2, As of 18 December 2024 – 23:00 local time

Attachments

Highlights

• A State of Emergency has been declared for 7 days, effective on 17 Dec 2024.

• Updated figure of 9 deaths and more than 200 injuries confirmed by the Ministry of Health.

• Approximately 80,000 people are directly affected.

• The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and the national cluster response have been activated.

• The Joint Police Operation Centre (JPOC) is supporting search and rescue operations.

• To complement the national response activities, the Government of Vanuatu has requested international assistance from the United Nations.

• Key immediate needs include healthcare, shelter, food, water, and the restoration of communication networks and electricity.

• Logistics teams are working to clear blocked roads and restore access to Port Vila and critical locations. Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from Fiji have been deployed. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from Australia and New Zealand have been deployed. EMTs and USAR teams from Australia arrived in Port Vila.

Situation Overview

The situation in Vanuatu remains critical following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck on 17 December 2024. The government has declared a state of emergency for 7 days, effective on 17 December 2024. A public curfew for the Nambatu area is active from 6 pm to 6 am except for essential services.

Infrastructure damage remains extensive; hospitals, roads, residential and public buildings, two major water reservoirs and gas pipes. Physical access challenges continue to hamper response efforts.

Access to Port Vila International Airport is experiencing operational delays due to damage to its terminal building and road network, while the runway is functioning. The airport remains closed to all commercial services. Access to the seaport is also disrupted by a landslide, limiting the transport of essential supplies and personnel. Communication networks are not fully restored, complicating coordination and assessments, especially in remote areas. Banking services are not available as ATMs are non-operational. Vodafone and Digicel domestic phone lines are reactivated (voice/SMS).

The United Nations confirmed that they are mobilizing humanitarian support requested by the Government of Vanuatu as part of the ongoing response.