Australia Provides $10 Million Aid to Vanuatu Following Earthquake
Australia is stepping up with $10 million to help Vanuatu recover from a devastating earthquake that struck the island nation.
Vanuatu, Australia, Earthquake, Aid, Recovery
Vanuatu: So, Australia is giving Vanuatu an extra $10 million to help them bounce back after that huge earthquake. It was a magnitude 7.3 quake that hit on December 17, and it really shook things up.
Sadly, 14 people lost their lives, over 200 got hurt, and thousands had to leave their homes. It’s been tough for everyone there.
Most of this new funding will go towards education, health, and transport. The Vanuatu government has some clear priorities, and Australia wants to support those.
They’re planning to use local systems to make sure the help lasts longer. It’s all about building a sustainable future, according to a statement from the federal government.
After the quake, the situation was pretty dire. The initial aid package from Australia was $7 million, which included emergency supplies and medical teams to help out.
But relief efforts have been a bit of a struggle. Blocked roads and poor communication have made it hard to get help where it’s needed.
There’s also a worry about clean water. Aid workers think around 20,000 people might not have access to it for weeks, which could lead to health issues.
UNICEF’s water specialist in Vanuatu, Brecht Mommen, is sounding the alarm about potential illness spreading due to these shortages.
And just before Christmas, nearly 700 Australians had to be flown back home from Vanuatu. It’s been a wild ride for everyone involved.