Personnel from the Black Rock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp are likely to be deployed to help Vanuatu after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck the region. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed Fiji’s readiness to provide support, stating that trained personnel could be quickly mobilized alongside the disaster management team.
The earthquake, which struck around midday yesterday, has caused significant infrastructure damage throughout Vanuatu. Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, expressed her country’s willingness to assist, affirming Australia’s commitment to support Vanuatu as the extent of the damage is being evaluated. “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need,” she stated on social media.
Similarly, New Zealand’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, voiced his concerns via social media and noted that New Zealand’s high commission building, situated with buildings from the US, France, and the UK, also endured substantial damage. He assured that New Zealand is prepared to assist Vanuatu and respond to any requests for help.
In response to the earthquake, the University of the South Pacific (USP) has temporarily closed its Emalus Campus due to disrupted communication lines resulting from the quake.
This situation stresses the importance of international solidarity in the face of natural disasters. The emergency responses from neighboring countries show a commendable commitment to cooperative support, which can significantly aid recovery efforts and provide much-needed assistance during such challenging times.
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