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December 20, 2024 | 06:15 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The situation in Vanuatu remains critical following a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the island nation on Tuesday. At least 14 people have been confirmed dead, and over 200 have been injured, with authorities anticipating a further rise in the death toll. The government has declared a seven-day state of emergency and appealed for international assistance to aid in the relief efforts, a UN spokesman announced on Thursday as cited by Xinhua.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, told reporters that to complement the national response, the government has appealed for international assistance.
According to local authorities, the earthquake has caused widespread damage, including to hospitals, residential and public buildings, roads, water reservoirs, and gas pipelines. Villages near Efate have also experienced landslides, and communications have been disrupted in many areas.
Operations at Port Vila International Airport have been impacted, with damage to the terminal building and road network. While the runway remains functional, the airport is currently closed to all commercial services. Access to ports has also been disrupted by landslides, hindering the movement of essential supplies and personnel.
The United Nations and its partners are mobilizing resources to assist in the response, said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Urgent needs include medical supplies and repairs to medical structures, mobile medical teams, search and rescue teams with heavy equipment, and access to safe drinking water.
The earthquake has further strained Vanuatu's already overburdened healthcare system.
“I did visit the main hospital Vila Central when I was in Vanuatu last year, and they were completely over capacity,” Michelle McCrystall, a climate scientist at the University of Auckland, said on Thursday, as reported by Antara.
The earthquake, described by locals as a strong, high-frequency vertical jolt, has tragically claimed at least 14 lives and injured over 200 individuals. The disaster unfolded when buildings collapsed, trapping and injuring numerous people. While a tsunami warning has since been lifted, the aftermath presents a significant challenge.
"Hospital facilities in Vanuatu are already stretched with limited resources and lack of good medical equipment, and are making do with second-hand equipment for health provisions for the entire country," McCrystall said, adding that the deaths and injuries would further strain Vanuatu's already overwhelmed health care system, requiring more nurses and doctors and equipment to provide adequate care.
A New Zealand aid flight arrived in Vanuatu on Thursday as search and rescue efforts continue. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the capital, Port Vila, at a depth of 43 kilometers
Prof. Behzad Fatahi from the University of Technology Sydney’s School of Civil and Earthquake Engineering urged residents of Port Vila and nearby countries to remain vigilant for aftershocks and warned of potential secondary hazards, such as soil liquefaction and landslides.
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