ASIATODAY.ID, WELLINGTON – The Vanuatu government has asked for international assistance after being hit by a severe earthquake when hospital facilities in the Pacific island nation were already overcapacity.
“I visited Vila Central’s main hospital when I was in Vanuatu last year, and the hospital was already very overcapacity,” said Michelle McCrystall, a climate scientist at the University of Auckland, on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
The Vanuatu earthquake, described by local residents as a high-frequency and violent vertical shock, caused 14 deaths and more than 200 injuries due to falling building debris. Meanwhile, the early warning for a potential tsunami has been lifted.
“Hospitals in Vanuatu are already overcapacity with limited resources and minimal medical equipment, forced to use second-hand equipment to provide health services across the country,” said McCrystall, adding that the death toll and injuries from the earthquake would further burden the health industry. Vanuatu is already overwhelmed.
A relief flight from New Zealand arrived in Vanuatu on Thursday as the search for victims continued.
The Vanuatu earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 caused strong shaking near the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, about 30 km from the epicenter, with a depth of 43 km.
Ian de Terte, clinical psychologist at Massey University, said the earthquake in Vanuatu was tragic for its people. Vanuatu has experienced several disasters in the last decade.
“The situation in Vanuatu remains dire after being shaken by a devastating earthquake, and the Vanuatu Government has requested international assistance,” said a UN spokesperson, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The UN humanitarian agency said that the needs needed after the Vanuatu earthquake were medical supplies and repairs to medical buildings, mobile medical teams, search and rescue teams with heavy equipment for cleaning, and drinking water. (AT Network)
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