A local business sign in Port Vila reads “Stay strong and carry on Vanuatu”. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Moses Cakau
The British High Commission in Port Vila has given GDP£400,000 (US$496,880) to UNICEF Pacific, to support children affected by the Vanuatu earthquake.
The Commission said this money will provide teaching and learning materials, and restore safe learning spaces with proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.
It said this aligns with the Government of Vanuatu's Earthquake Recovery and Resilience Plan, prioritising education ahead of the school term starting 3 February.
The country's recovery is continuing from the magnitude 7.3 earthquake on 17 December which killed at least 14 people.
Last week, Vanuatu's Meteorology and Geohazards Department said aftershocks were continuing.
It also warned people not to spread rumours "to confuse and cause panic to the public".
"Following several rumours going around, VMGD would like to make it clear that there are no warnings for neither earthquake nor tsunami," it said.
"Earthquakes cannot be predicted."
Recovery plans
The Recovery Operation Centre is now coordinating recovery-related planning for affected communities.
The estimated recovery cost currently stands at 29 billion vatu.
Peter Korisa told VBTC the recovery plan will take about two years and will be divided into short, medium, and long-term phases.
He said engineers' assessments are ongoing to determine building safety, with occupancy certificates to be issued for cleared buildings.
"Public Works and Police, alongside the municipal council, are working on a traffic plan to guide further decisions," Korisa said.
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Vanuatu earthquake damage. Photo: Vanuatu Police
The road leading to Fatumaru Bay remains fortified with barbed wire, the Vanuatu Daily Post reported.
Just behind this barrier, the Moorings Hotel has erected a sign declaring, "We are open." But tourists arriving at the roadblock are forced to carry their luggage on foot to reach the hotel.
On the opposite side of town, a roadblock near Asco Motors has disrupted access to several businesses, although vehicles have found ways to navigate around it.
A local business owner shared their frustration: "We understand the need for public safety, but consistency and common sense must be applied.
"Communication with businesses is crucial. How long will roadblocks remain? When will demolition start? What needs to be demolished? We need answers to plan effectively."
Another stated: "We don't need to make the disaster worse by our response. Let's get people working again and money flowing."
Meanwhile, Vanuatu goes to a snap election in 10 days, on 16 January.
The snap election was triggered when the president dissolved parliament ahead of a motion of no-confidence in the now caretaker prime minister Charlot Salwai.
