On 17 December 2024, at 12:47pm local time, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck with its epicentre 30km west of Port Vila, Vanuatu.
So far 14 deaths have been reported but this number is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts ramp up. Many are injured and missing. Over 200 people are being treated at the main hospital. Healthcare centres are overrun and struggling to cope.
The full extent of the disaster’s impact is still unknown, but with powerlines and public water supplies interrupted and two major water reserves for Port Vila destroyed, water supply, sanitation and hygiene are a critical priorities.
CARE Vanuatu is preparing to respond with the delivery of water stocks and hygiene kits to affected families.
Please give now to CARE’s Vanuatu Earthquake Emergency to help provide lifesaving supplies to families in need.
Emergency response
The first lot of supplies from CARE Australia’s warehouse landed in Vanuatu on 22/12/24 on an RAAF flight.
Hygiene kits will be some of the first materials distributed as part of CARE’s recovery response efforts for those affected.
“It turned over rocks and trucks. There were landslides and roads are cracked everywhere, buildings collapsed. There’s big damage. It’s an event that everyone in Vila wasn’t expecting.”
Maria, CARE Vanuatu Staff Member
Donate by phone
Call 1800 020 046 toll free and pay by credit card.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible
CARE will use donations to provide emergency relief and services to those affected by the Vanuatu earthquake. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering this aid directly to Vanuatu, funds will be used to support CARE’s other humanitarian operations.
Monthly donation will go to emergency relief & preparedness activities where it is needed most.
