Devastating Vanuatu 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake

On Tuesday, 17 December, Vanuatu was struck by a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake, followed by strong aftershocks, causing widespread devastation. The most severe impact was experienced in Port Vila where at least 16 people have been killed.

“We [in Vanuatu] are used to disasters… you can usually hear the earthquakes coming; you hear like a rumble or a deep roar. But this one we had no warning at all – there was just a sudden boom. This was next level, it felt like something that comes once in a generation.”

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has stated that an estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake . Some 51,000 people residing in the hardest-hit areas have had vital infrastructure and buildings severely damaged. Especially concerning is the damage to three of the five reservoirs that supply water to Port Vila.  At this writing, rescuers remain at work trying to find those trapped in collapsed buildings. At least 200 people were injured in Tuesday’s earthquake, with many of the casualties centered around a handful of buildings in the city center.

Please donate what you can today.

Our Response

CWS has met with emergency response representatives from the ACT Alliance, the Council of International Development Aotearoa New Zealand (who have been in close dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and the Churches Humanitarian Response Team comprising Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) to explore our collective response with partners in the region. Following the restoration of water supply, power and telecommunications, of particular concern is the road to recovery including the need for ongoing psychosocial and practical support for many thousands of Vanuatu citizens.  We encourage our CWS supporters to donate if you are able. We will report back in the New Year on how those donations are applied but anticipate funds raised will go to support our partners recovery within the Vanuatu Anglican and Presbyterian churches.