<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>336379</docID> <postdate>2025-01-11 12:24:19</postdate> <headline>Australia’s $10m boost for Vanuatu after earthquake</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-336380" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Vanuatu-aid-resized-e1736558623230.jpeg" alt="" width="759" height="505" /></p> <caption>Another $10 million in aid for Vanuatu has been announced following a devastating earthquake. Photo: Department of Defence</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Holly Hales</strong> in Melbourne</span></p> <p><strong>Vanuatu will receive an additional $10 million injection from Australia as the Pacific island nation continues to recover from a mammoth earthquake.</strong></p> <p>The magnitude 7.3 quake on December 17 left 14 people dead, more than 200 injured and thousands displaced.</p> <p>Most of the funds will focus on the education, health and transport sectors in line with the Vanuatu government's priorities.</p> <p>They will be delivered through local systems in a bid to promote long-term sustainability, a federal government statement said on Saturday.</p> <p>Australia's assistance aims to aid Vanuatu's response to future disasters and support vulnerable groups including women, children and people with disability.</p> <p>Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the support was needed for Vanuatu to recover after the earthquake's tragic impacts.</p> <p>"Australia and Vanuatu share a deep and enduring partnership. We are family and we will always be there for Vanuatu in times of need," she said.</p> <p>The funding injection follows a $7 million package of humanitarian assistance from Australia for Vanuatu's initial earthquake response.</p> <p>That package included emergency supplies, funding to humanitarian partners, and the deployment of medical assistance teams and a disaster response team.</p> <p>Relief efforts have faced significant challenges due to blocked roads, traffic congestion and limited communication networks during the recovery.</p> <p>A potential health crisis also loomed as aid workers believed about 20,000 people could not access clean water for weeks after the quake.</p> <p>Vanuatu-based UNICEF water, sanitation and hygiene specialist Brecht Mommen warned the shortages would cause illness to spread.</p> <p>Nearly 700 Australians had to be evacuated from Vanuatu to Brisbane Airport on 10 RAAF fights before Christmas.</p> </body>