Country: Vanuatu Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Please refer to the attached file. Description of the crisisOn 17 December 2024, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck 30 kilometres west of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital city, at a depth of 57 kilometres, causing widespread damage. The earthquake triggered landslides, damaged buildings and caused severe damage to infrastructure, impacting essential services. Since then, there have been multiple aftershocks, including 15 with magnitudes over 5.0, including one with a magnitude of 6.1. These have increased the risk of further damage. According to the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), approximately 80,000 people were impacted (approximately 251 of Vanuatu's population). Efate and the nearby islands were the worst affected areas. It is estimated 36,000 of those living in Port Vila were directly affected.The destruction disrupted telecommunications, electricity, and water supplies, heightening risks, particularly for vulnerable population. and Port Vila’s main hospital, schools, and two major water reservoirs sustained severe damaged. Reservoir damage also caused flash floods to nearby homes.Landslides and debris have blocked roads and damaged airstrips, restricting access to affected areas and the closure ofPort Vila’s central business district has been cordoned off due to collapsed buildings, affecting businesses, vendors, and employment and has only recently opened certain pathways to vehicular traffic to relieve some of the traffic congestion. 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 declared a State of Emergency which lasted 7 days. It activated the National Emergency Operations Centre and requested assistance from the Red Cross. The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), with IFRC support, mobilized volunteers to provide 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 that around CHF 217M (VT29B) was needed to fund recovery.Operational challenges, damaged infrastructure, and a lack of comprehensive assessment data, have hindered early relief efforts. Coordinated international support is still urgently needed to address immediate humanitarian needs and facilitate early recovery.The 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu has had extensive humanitarian impacts:Impact on Essential services - Essential services, including healthcare, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications, were initially disrupted. While power and telecommunications have largely been restored, some areas still experience outages, and internet connectivity remains limited. Communication challenges have further isolated remote communities, hindering access to aid. Damage to health facilities, schools, and roads has restricted medical care, education, and humanitarian assistance. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, face the greatest barriers. Water access remains constrained due to reservoir and tank damage, with some bores becoming muddy post-earthquake. The Vanuatu Water bottling plant, initially non-operational, has resumed production. Limited safe water supplies increase the risk of infectious diseases. Port and road damage have disrupted the importation of goods and relief supplies.Impact on physical and mental wellbeing - The Vanuatu Ministry of Health confirmed 14 fatalities (eight males, five females, one unidentified) and at least 265 injuries treated at Vanuatu Central Hospital (VCH), which initially operated from tents. On 24 December, OCHA reported 2,435 displaced individuals staying in six evacuation centres and 67 host households.2 As of this update, there is one evacuation centre with a population of 21 people and 103 people with 14 host families. Many will return home to structural damage, lack of services, and safety concerns. Overcrowding in temporary shelters increased disease risks. The Education Cluster identified damage to school buildings and WASH infrastructure, delaying school reopening until 15 February. The trauma of the earthquake and aftershocks has left many, including children and caregivers, in need of urgent mental health and psychosocial support.Risks & vulnerabilities - Pre-existing vulnerabilities, including poverty, malnutrition, and fragile health systems, have worsened. Women and girls face increased gender-based violence risks, while children’s education remains disrupted due to damaged schools.