A couple of you have sent me messages expressing concern for the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that happened in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu a couple days ago. First of all, thank you, and I appreciate that you have learned about Vanuatu from my posts and have concern for the people there. The quake occurred off the west coast of the island of Efate and devastated the town of Port Vila on the east coast. Efate is over 170 miles south of the island I spent 8 days on of Espiritu Santo. The folks in Santo definitely felt the tremors, but there was no damage reported there. I spent my first night in the Holiday Inn of Port Vila, and then did fly out of the airport there on my journey home. On that journey I met and made buddies with an American woman who lives in Port Vila with her Australian husband. In checking with her, she reports damage to her home and their business, no water, electricity or internet, but they are far better off than most on the island. I have also been texting back and forth with my friend Jimmy Carter in Melbourne as to the status of help coming their way. The Australian Navy has access to carriers that can get helicopters in to bring supplies and rescue crews, so that is one option. The airport is damaged, but evidently they will still be able to land planes there to bring in personnel and relief. I've attached their wish list of what they plan to coordinate. Below is my latest message from Jimmy:
"This from the Queensland Fire Department: Supporting our Pacific neighbors. More than 60 personnel from QFD's AUS-1 Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) are traveling to Vanuatu in the wake of the country's devastating earthquake. The DART team, made up o experienced Queensland Fire and Rescue personnel and canine teams, doctors, engineers, communications technicians, as well as Queensland Ambulance Service Paramedics will conduct search and rescue operations to support the local government's ongoing earthquake response efforts."
I've also learned from Liz at Port Vila that Starlink is being deployed to get communications back up soon. This island chain is right on top of the ring of fire zone. This is one of the worst quakes to hit them in many years and it will take time to recover and rebuild. Having been to this island country now, and having friends there, people I value, it's hard to see them go through this. Santo will be taking a lot of the burden of the capital city responsibilities until they are back up and running. The people there are strong, happy and fierce. They will make it through!
I'm not sure what website to go to if anyone wants to send money to the relief fund, or if they are even asking. Australia and New Zealand will do a good job of helping to rebuild and take care of the injured. If I learn of a fund link, I will post it on the website blog page. I will also post updates there.
-Tammi
12/20/2024 Update: For those interested, an update from Jimmy Carter in Melbourne. I had asked him if there were yet boots on the ground on Efate and his response as of last night:
"Many, many boots! Australia has sent so many plane loads up via the RAAF and then they're flying the tourists stuck there back to Brisbane in the empty Hercs and C-17 aircraft. The French have also arrived and so have the New Zealanders. So many specialist people there in search and rescue, which is great. Water is back on and so is power, which is pretty amazing."
And from my contact in Port Vila who lives there, American gal Liz Hobbs:
"We have Starlink at trade and farm (their store) as of now. So more connected. Vila is absolutely devastated and massive destruction, with lots of loss of life. So more will be found out as recovery continues. We have water back at our house. Business has water, power and now Starling, so all slowly coming on. We are seeing more and more Australian and NZ forces on the ground working with Vanuatu teams for recovery and humanitarian efforts. Reparation efforts underway to get as many that don't live here home that were here. Yet lots still trying to get out. It's going to be a long road to recover and rebuild but Vanuatu is resilient. Our teams were at work the next day to start cleanup and we've had our business opened day after and on as everyone needs stuff to start their recovery."
It's great to be able to hear directly from someone who lives there and I appreciate her taking the time to share her updates. Thanks Liz!
"This from the Queensland Fire Department: Supporting our Pacific neighbors. More than 60 personnel from QFD's AUS-1 Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) are traveling to Vanuatu in the wake of the country's devastating earthquake. The DART team, made up o experienced Queensland Fire and Rescue personnel and canine teams, doctors, engineers, communications technicians, as well as Queensland Ambulance Service Paramedics will conduct search and rescue operations to support the local government's ongoing earthquake response efforts."
I've also learned from Liz at Port Vila that Starlink is being deployed to get communications back up soon. This island chain is right on top of the ring of fire zone. This is one of the worst quakes to hit them in many years and it will take time to recover and rebuild. Having been to this island country now, and having friends there, people I value, it's hard to see them go through this. Santo will be taking a lot of the burden of the capital city responsibilities until they are back up and running. The people there are strong, happy and fierce. They will make it through!
I'm not sure what website to go to if anyone wants to send money to the relief fund, or if they are even asking. Australia and New Zealand will do a good job of helping to rebuild and take care of the injured. If I learn of a fund link, I will post it on the website blog page. I will also post updates there.
-Tammi
12/20/2024 Update: For those interested, an update from Jimmy Carter in Melbourne. I had asked him if there were yet boots on the ground on Efate and his response as of last night:
"Many, many boots! Australia has sent so many plane loads up via the RAAF and then they're flying the tourists stuck there back to Brisbane in the empty Hercs and C-17 aircraft. The French have also arrived and so have the New Zealanders. So many specialist people there in search and rescue, which is great. Water is back on and so is power, which is pretty amazing."
And from my contact in Port Vila who lives there, American gal Liz Hobbs:
"We have Starlink at trade and farm (their store) as of now. So more connected. Vila is absolutely devastated and massive destruction, with lots of loss of life. So more will be found out as recovery continues. We have water back at our house. Business has water, power and now Starling, so all slowly coming on. We are seeing more and more Australian and NZ forces on the ground working with Vanuatu teams for recovery and humanitarian efforts. Reparation efforts underway to get as many that don't live here home that were here. Yet lots still trying to get out. It's going to be a long road to recover and rebuild but Vanuatu is resilient. Our teams were at work the next day to start cleanup and we've had our business opened day after and on as everyone needs stuff to start their recovery."
It's great to be able to hear directly from someone who lives there and I appreciate her taking the time to share her updates. Thanks Liz!
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