Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States and other nations are aiding Vanuatu after an earthquake hit the country’s capital, Port Vila, in mid-December 2024.
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake leveled buildings, cracked bridges, destroyed water reservoirs, knocked out communications and internet access, and shut down the main wharf. Authorities said the quake killed at least 12 people and injured hundreds of others. More than 1,000 people were displaced and about 20,000 people were without water, The Associated Press reported.
Vanuatu is an archipelago of more than 80 islands in the South Pacific Ocean between Australia and Fiji. Home to about 320,000 people, it is prone to natural hazards such as cyclones, earthquakes and volcanos, and the effects of climate change. Most of the earthquake’s damage was on the main island of Efate.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $250,000 in humanitarian assistance and deployed a team to Port Vila, where the agency has pre-positioned relief supplies.
“The United States is committed to support the government of Vanuatu in responding to the emergency needs of affected communities and help them recover from the impacts of the earthquake in close coordination with our partners, including France, Australia, and New Zealand,” U.S. Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock said in a statement after surveying the damage, including the now-shuttered building that housed diplomatic missions from France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
Australia deployed a $1.26 million response package including a 64-person disaster assistance team and two search and rescue dogs. Medical and crisis response teams, federal police officers and a National Emergency Management Agency liaison also joined Canberra’s relief effort. Australia announced an additional $3.1 million in humanitarian assistance after a second earthquake struck Vanuatu days later.
“Australia and Vanuatu share a deep and enduring partnership. We are family and we will always be there in times of need,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Matt Keogh, acting international development minister, said in a statement.
The Australian team delivered 22 tons of equipment and used drones to assess landslide damage.
France sent a military helicopter with satellite communications and military engineers who deemed the Port Vila airport runway usable for humanitarian flights. Japan dispatched a medical support team and provided emergency supplies including water purifiers and generators through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon crew conducted surveillance over key infrastructure in Port Vila and surrounding islands. Authorities used flight imagery to better gauge the damage. Two RNZAF Hercules aircraft transported search and rescue personnel, staff from government agencies, defense force emergency response planners and equipment from RNZAF Base Auckland.
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape said the National Executive Council approved a $4.97 million aid package enabling deployment of resources including Papua New Guinea Defense Force engineers, medics and logistics experts.
The aid “reflects our commitment to standing with our Pacific neighbors in their time of need,” Marape said. “This is not just about delivering aid, but also about reaffirming our shared commitment to the Pacific family. When one of us is impacted, we all stand together.”
Vanuatu already faced financial strain before the recent disasters. It has amassed sizeable debt under the People’s Republic of China’s One Belt, One Road infrastructure scheme. The International Monetary Fund recently rated Vanuatu at high risk of debt distress in the aftermath of two destructive tropical cyclones in 2023 and the bankruptcy of its national airline, Air Vanuatu, contributing to meager revenue growth.
The U.S.’s earthquake response builds on its support to Vanuatu after the 2023 cyclones. USAID works year-round to help local communities build resilience and respond to natural disasters. The support demonstrates deepening relations between the nations, as highlighted by the 2024 opening of the U.S. Embassy in Port Vila, according to USAID.
