Vanuatu Earthquake Appeal
Thousands of people are being impacted by two successive earthquakes in Port Vila
Destroyed buildings in Port Vila with emergency vehicles on the scene, photo credit YTS News.
Our response
As part of the Church Agencies Network Disaster Operations (CANDO) Caritas Australia will be supporting on the ground through its partners. These partners are assessing the situation, and are ready to respond to the humanitarian requirements.
Latest figures
At least 14 people
have been killed with the death toll rising
116,000 people impacted
by two earthquakes in 24 hours
Hundreds of people
injured and trapped under rubble
Buildings damaged
including the main Port Vila hospital
Humanitarian requirements are likely to include:
Psychosocial support
Emergency shelter
Food and other essentials
Recovery efforts
Vanuatu earthquake appeal - donate now to help
Key issues in Vanuatu
- Mass casualties are overwhelming the Port Vila hospital, which has sustained damage from successive 7.4 and 6.1 magnitude earthquakes, leading to the closure of operating theatres
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Damage to buildings in Port Vila has left people trapped under the rubble, with support needed for search and rescue efforts, and the death toll expected to rise as rubble is moved
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Major damage to infrastructure has been sustained, impacting communications, airport runways, bridges including the Tagabe, Teouma and Black Sand bridges, and the main port
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Two major water reserves that supply Port Vila have been destroyed, with assessment into water supplies ongoing
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People remain fearful of further disaster, as Vanuatu is one of the most susceptible countries to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis
Every dollar you give brings hope to a community in need,
People in Port Vila have been devastated, and are trying to recover without working infrastructure such as bridges, hospitals, telecommunications and water supplies.
Social Justice for the Pacific
While Caritas Australia’s work is inspired by Catholic Social Teaching (CST), we respond wherever we are needed and are committed to supporting the world’s most vulnerable communities.Â
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We believe that CST is universal. In short, our approach to humanitarian aid in the Pacific is founded on Â
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The dignity of the human personÂ
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The common goodÂ
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Subsidiarity and participationÂ
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SolidarityÂ
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Preferential option for the poorÂ
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Economic justiceÂ
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Care for our common homeÂ
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Promotion of peace Â
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Our long-term work in the Pacific
Caritas Australia has a long history of partnering with our neighbouring communities in the Pacific, across development programs that include WASH programs, climate resilience and much more, as well as emergency responses to natural disasters.
Building collapsed as a result of the earthquakes, photo credit YTS News.
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
