DONATE NOW: VANUATU EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
ActionAid Australia’s humanitarian lead, Carol Angir, was in Vanuatu when the 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Port Vila on 17 December. She shares what it’s like on the ground right now, and how ActionAid is supporting the local community in the early stages of the emergency.
I’m on the ground now in Vanuatu and I am traumatised by what I have just seen.
Yesterday, we were in the middle of a women-led emergency response training with eight of our team leaders when the massive earthquake struck. I hid under a table for safety with some of the women. I have never experienced anything like it.
The earth shook violently underneath us. Ellen Tamata, my colleague and our Disability Inclusion Officer, was thrown off her wheelchair. My other colleague Lizzie sustained bruising to her face from the impact. Another ActionAid Vanuatu team member, Helen was at the airport putting her children on a plane, and ended up leading people to safety out of the building.
Our whole team is traumatised and all of Port Vila is impacted. Entire buildings have collapsed with people inside, and many buildings have cracks through them, making them unsafe. There is no electricity or running water in Port Vila.
Last night we rested and resolved to start working on a response plan for the immediate phase. I also gave psychosocial support to our team.
However, this morning we woke to another severe 6.1 magnitude earthquake following yesterday’s disaster. Locals have reported rising casualties and hospitals are overwhelmed.
Our initial focus of response will be in Port Vila and East Efate, particularly targeting people with disabilities who live in unsafe dwellings on the outskirts of the city. This week we will assess the damage with our team.
Our focus areas will be:
- Emergency food and clean water distributions
- Shelter to support rebuilding of homes, particularly for people with disabilities
- Psychosocial support — there is a lot of trauma following the earthquake
- Protection of the most vulnerable women and people with disabilities
I’ve been through earthquakes before, but this is the worst. Everyone has been affected. Three of us hid under the table as the earth shook violently underneath us.
My colleagues were shaking with fright and all of our stationery and office equipment were scattered all over the floor. Getting out of the office door was the most difficult task, and when I finally got outside, I saw the true magnitude.
I realised that we got lucky. Most buildings in Port Vila are damaged or destroyed and this has left one big question: what about those who don’t have good homes?
When I took my colleague to hospital for treatment yesterday, I saw entire buildings had collapsed with people inside so we expect more casualties, and large landslides are visible. People were running through the streets, very traumatised.
I’m especially concerned for women with disabilities who live in a township just outside Port Vila in poor housing conditions. I will go and assess the damage in the coming days and focus on how best to support this highly vulnerable group of people with disabilities.
Carol Angir
Deputy Head of Programs, Humanitarian Lead
ActionAid Australia