Vanuatu earthquake: last repatriation from Port Vila, water shortage

New Zealand support has reached Vanuatu following this week's earthquake. Photo: RNZ/Koroy Hawkins

Boarding has begun on New Zealand's final return flight from Port Vila following Tuesday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake.

Passengers heading home on board the RNZAF Boeing 757 on Saturday afternoon include stranded tourists of various nationalities, returning disaster response officials and media.

Workers at Powerfield International Airport in Port Vila said that repairs to the international terminal damaged by the earthquake are continuing. The goal was to resume commercial flight services on Monday, but flights remain suspended for the time being.

Fiji Airways, Qantas, Jetstar and Solomon Airlines are interested in resuming flights, Vanuatu Airports CEO Jason Rakau told RNZ.

Aid supplies from Australia are unloaded at the main airport in Port Vila, as earthquake response efforts continue in Vanuatu, on December 21, 2024. Photo: RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

“We have made every effort to do this so that we can enable commercial airlines to repatriate stranded passengers, especially Vanuatu citizens, to the country,” he said.

“And also the passengers who are stranded here in Vanuatu, allowing them to return to their homes and families and hopefully before Christmas so they can have a merry Christmas…

“We encourage affected passengers who have been disrupted by flight cancellations over the past few days to contact their relevant airlines over the coming hours and days to reconfirm bookings, as we slowly recover from this situation we are in.”

Earthquake response efforts continue in Vanuatu, 21 December 2024. Photo: RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

Fortunately, the runways and taxiways were not affected by the quake, nor was the building's structure, Rakow said.

“We have confirmed this by appointing a certified aviation infrastructure engineer who carried out an assessment yesterday to confirm this. From our initial assessments, he has confirmed that yes, no damage has been caused to our airport infrastructure and it is certified for safe operations.”

Water needed

The head of World Vision Vanuatu said international aid had made a real difference in the aftermath of the earthquake, but the situation remained serious.

16 people have been confirmed dead, and the number is expected to rise.

World Vision Vanuatu director Clement Chibukolo told RNZ Morning that most parts of the capital, Port Vila, are without power and water, and some roads remain closed.

He said there was an urgent need for water.

People line up at Port Vila Airport for the final planned flight back to New Zealand, as earthquake response efforts continue in Vanuatu, on December 21, 2024. Photo: RNZ/Koroi Hawkins

“The situation is becoming increasingly dire, with potential epidemics due to water shortages. That is why we are now supporting the Ministry of Water, and working alongside other partners, to start water distribution.

“So, as I'm talking right now, we've deployed one of our teams who's doing some water tracking.”

Chibukolo said World Vision was distributing water jerry cans and hygiene kits to reduce the risk of the spread of diseases.

Meanwhile, search and rescue teams were scouring the ruins of destroyed buildings, but hope of finding anyone trapped alive was fading.

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