Rebuilding Lives: Vanuatu Earthquake Recovery

Overview

Since the 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck in December 2024, VRCS has continued to support affected communities in their recovery journey. With the help of GlobalGiving donors and partners, we moved from emergency relief into early recovery—focusing on shelter, livelihoods, cash assistance, health, and preparedness. Over the last four months, VRCS has scaled up activities to restore dignity, strengthen resilience, and ensure no community is left behind.

Key Achievements

Shelter & Housing

• Launched Cash for Shelter Repair to provide families with flexible funds to rebuild using local materials and labor.
• Conducted community shelter trainings across Efate, reaching 155 participants (103 women, 52 men) with safer building techniques.
• Provided block-making training to ensure families rebuild homes with strong, disaster-resilient materials.

Cash & Livelihoods

• Expanded the Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA) program, distributing multipurpose cash to unemployed and injured beneficiaries through mobile transfers with Digicel and Vodafone.
• Rolled out livelihood recovery trainings to help earthquake-affected entrepreneurs restart small businesses, supported by start-up capital.

WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)

• Officially opened a new water catchment system in Erangorango, benefitting more than 3,000 residents.
• Trained youth volunteers on operating the NOMAD water purification system, strengthening local emergency response capacity.

Health & First Aid

• Carried out a nationwide blood drive campaign, collecting lifesaving donations and raising awareness.
• Delivered first aid and resuscitation trainings for staff, teachers, and community members, equipping them with skills to save lives during emergencies.

Education & Preparedness

• Conducted school-based earthquake drills and awareness sessions, reaching thousands of students across Efate.
• Delivered School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (SBDRR) sessions in partnership with the Japanese Red Cross, strengthening preparedness committees and empowering youth volunteers.

Emergency Response & Solidarity

• Responded to a tragic fire in Whitesand, Tanna, providing immediate relief to affected families.
• Marked World Humanitarian Day by honoring the tireless work of staff and volunteers who continue to serve communities across Vanuatu.

Looking Ahead

Eight months after the earthquake, recovery remains challenging, but progress is visible. Families are rebuilding safer homes, communities are better prepared, and partnerships with donors, government, and private sector are strengthening VRCS’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively.

Your continued support through GlobalGiving is helping us deliver hope, dignity, and resilience to the people of Vanuatu.