📋 Tender Overview
Project Name
Earthquake Emergency Response Project
Project Number
58550-001
Country / Economy
Vanuatu
Project Status
Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance
Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 1020-VAN: Earthquake Emergency Response Project
Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund US$ 500,000.00
Operational Priorities
OP6: Strengthening governance and institutional capacity
Sector / Subsector
Public sector management / Public expenditure and fiscal management
Gender
No gender elements
Description
This project is in response to the earthquake that stuck Vanuatu on 17 December 2024, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake near its capital, Port Vila, which is located on Efate Island. The earthquake, accompanied by multiple aftershocks, triggered landslides and caused widespread destruction across the island. Tragically, 14 lives were lost, 265 people were injured. At least 80,000 individuals on Efate Island and the nearby islands have been affected, including more than 14,000 children in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Many homes, buildings, and critical infrastructure were either damaged or destroyed, leaving numerous familiesstill recovering from the twin cyclones Jude and Kevin in March 2023in desperate need of support.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
On 17 December 2024, the government declared a 7-day state of emergency across the worst-affected areas of Vanuatu. As of 23 December 2024, authorities have completed search and rescue operations and are continuing efforts to clear landslide debris from the main road and the access road to the international port at Lapetasi. A large proportion of power and water supply has been restored to affected areas. However, several areas served by the damaged major water reservoirs still report partial or no water supply. Telecommunication authorities have successfully restored the government broadband network, established satellite communication services for continued emergency operations, and are continuing work on recovering the fiber landing station. Despite these efforts, many life-sustaining needs remain unmet. The United Nations Office of the Resident Coordinator estimates the affected population at 80,000, including 16,544 households, of which 15,151 are estimated to be women, 14,159 men, and 14,104 children.
