Two local staff members from the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu, who were unaccounted for after Tuesday’s earthquake, have been found safe. Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed in a post on X that the employees were located and had been spoken to in Port Vila. Earlier, High Commissioner Nicci Simmonds and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) reported that all other New Zealand staff in Vanuatu were safe.
The 7.3-magnitude earthquake has left a devastating impact on Vanuatu. While the exact death toll remains unclear, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated that the Vanuatu government had confirmed 14 deaths so far. The destruction has been extensive, with concrete buildings collapsing, homes and infrastructure severely damaged, and a major slip blocking the road to the main port.
New Zealanders in Vanuatu are being accounted for, with 58 registered as being in the country. However, MFAT believes there may be more who have not registered. At this stage, there are no reports of New Zealanders killed or injured in the disaster.
In response to the crisis, a state of emergency has been declared in the worst-affected areas of Vanuatu. Police have been granted additional powers, including the ability to impose curfews. Meanwhile, relief efforts are underway to assess the damage and deliver assistance where needed.
A New Zealand Defence Force P-8 military surveillance aircraft was deployed on Wednesday morning to gather more information about the situation from above. Depending on conditions, a C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying rescue teams, supplies, and consular staff was expected to arrive in Vanuatu by Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve put a lot of work into it overnight and we’re set to go,” Peters told Morning Report. He emphasized the urgency of getting assistance on the ground quickly, saying, “We are just desperate for information at this point in time.”
Initial reports indicate that the capital, Port Vila, has sustained the most significant damage. New Zealand is prepared to provide further support as needed, in coordination with Vanuatu’s government and international partners such as Australia and France.
The New Zealand Red Cross is also on standby to assist. Sarah Stuart-Black, Secretary General of the New Zealand Red Cross, stated that their teams are already collaborating with Vanuatu’s Red Cross to provide essential relief. “We’re needing to wait and see what will actually benefit the most in-country,” Stuart-Black said, adding that they have equipment ready to support 4,000 households. Often, she noted, monetary donations are the most effective form of assistance.
As the relief efforts unfold, the focus remains on saving lives, assessing the extent of the damage, and ensuring that aid reaches those in need as swiftly as possible. -TIN Bureau