Vanuatu is reeling from another massive earthquake, just days after a devastating 7.3 magnitude quake struck the island nation.
The latest tremor, measuring 6.1 in magnitude, shook buildings on the main island on Sunday morning, sparking fears of further damage and instability.
No Tsunami Alert, But Concerns Remain
Unlike the initial quake, this latest tremor did not trigger a tsunami alert. However, the impact of the quake was still felt, with buildings shaking and concerns about further damage to the already fragile infrastructure.
Australia Steps Up Humanitarian Efforts
In response to the crisis, the Australian government announced an additional $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu, bringing the total aid package to a significant amount. This fresh injection of funds will provide critical support to the island nation as it struggles to recover from the devastating earthquake.
Hundreds of Australians Return Home
As the humanitarian efforts ramp up, hundreds of Australians have begun returning home from Vanuatu. On Sunday, two RAAF flights touched down in Brisbane, carrying 144 passengers who had been stranded on the island. In total, 568 people have now returned to Australia via military airlifts, which have been delivering humanitarian aid since Wednesday.
Commercial Flights to Resume
In a welcome development, Airports Vanuatu announced that Port Vila International Airport would reopen to commercial airline operations on Sunday. This will provide a much-needed boost to the island’s recovery efforts, allowing for increased aid and resources to flow in. The Australian government is working closely with Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar to resume flights to the island.
Challenges Ahead for Vanuatu
Despite the progress made in evacuating stranded Australians and providing humanitarian aid, the road to recovery for Vanuatu will be long and challenging. The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck earlier in the week killed at least 16 people, injured over 200, and caused widespread destruction. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, and the number of deaths and injuries is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue.
Health Crisis Looms
Aid workers are also warning of a potential health crisis, with around 20,000 people on the island struggling to access clean water. Brecht Mommen, a UNICEF water, sanitation, and hygiene specialist based in Vanuatu, warned that the lack of clean water would likely lead to the spread of illness. The extent of the damage to Port Vila’s water infrastructure remains unclear, with repair timelines uncertain.
RAAF Flights Deliver Critical Aid
The latest RAAF flights delivered 9.5 tonnes of emergency relief supplies on behalf of Red Cross, UN World Food Program, CARE, Save the Children, and World Vision. This critical aid will provide much-needed support to the thousands of people displaced by the earthquake.
According to the United Nations, around 1000 people are estimated to have been displaced, and the need for continued humanitarian assistance will be crucial in the coming weeks and months.