OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Vanuatu - Earthquake
4 January 2002


The following information was provided by the Vanuatu National Disaster
Management Office (NDMO) through the OCHA Office of the Regional Disaster
Response Adviser for the Pacific in Fiji.

Situation and Damage

1.  Following yesterday's strong earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter
scale, Vanuatu continues to experience aftershocks. Among them another
strong tremor was felt at night (local time) on 3 January. It is reported
that the aftershock lasted just a couple of seconds but was strong enough
to cause items to fall off shelves. According to the United States
Geological Survey, the tremor measured 6.4 on the Richter scale with the
epicentre situated in the same area as the first strong earthquake.
Another tremor was also reportedly felt at around 3 am (local time) on 4
January. Vanuatu Geology Department confirms that aftershocks will
continue for sometime.

2.  Approximately 500 people from low-lying areas especially along the
coastal lines of Port Vila fled to higher ground when the first earthquake
occurred as a prevention measure against tsunami. At present, tsunami risk
has been ruled off by the Geology Department.

3.  According to an initial report from the assessment team comprised of
relevant government entities and other organizations including TELECOM
Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, the earthquake has caused some
serious damage to buildings and infrastructure such as bridges and roads.
Heavy traffic is denied access to Mele bridge (which had been just
repaired following damage caused by a tropical cyclone), causing transport
difficulties for people of North Efate. Further technical assessment is
required to confirm whether Prima bridge is safe for vehicle access. La
Colle bridge received similar damage. Teuma bridge is destroyed.

4.  The main wharf has not received damage. However, due to a landslide
the road leading to the wharf is blocked by huge rocks from the hillside.
With the continuous aftershocks rocks are still rolling down. The road has
been sealed off.

5.  The Ministry of Education has been relocated to another building as
the engineers have confirmed that its building is no longer safe to use.
The nearby Lycee School is also believed to be in unsafe condition.

6.  There has been no major damage to power and water supply system and
communication lines except for the outer islands where there has been some
disturbance to telephone lines.

7.  Public Works Department (PWD) is reviewing with relevant Government
Departments options for immediate temporary access for roads which had
been blocked by landslides or bridges either destroyed or damaged.

8.  PWD, with the support from private engineers, is carrying out a more
detailed assessment on the extent of damage to infrastructure, the
findings of which should become available in the next couple of days.

9.  At the request from the Government three technicians from ORSTOM (a
scientific organization based in Vanuatu) will be providing scientific
data in the earthquake area.


National and International Response

10.  Government departments and NGOs are working in partnership to ensure
effective response as follows:

  - NDMO                -    Overall coordination
  - Police Department   -  Security and general assessment
  - Public Works Dept.  -  Technical and engineering assessment
  - Geology Dept.       -  Scientific information technology assessment
  - Health Dept.        -  Health and medical assistance assessment
  - UNELCO  Ltd.        -  Power line and water supply assessment and
                           repair
  - Port Vila Municipal -  Road clearance and building inspections
  - Vanuatu Red Cross   -  Assessment and medical assistance
  - Media               -  Information dissemination and updates


11.  The Government of Vanuatu has not declared a state of emergency nor
appealed for international emergency relief assistance to date.

12.  OCHA is in contact with relevant government authorities in Vanuatu
and will revert with further information when available.

13.  This situation report, together with information on other ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. R. Mueller / Ms. S. DeSouza / Mr. S. Matsuka / Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 / 16 36 / 40 34 / 17 69

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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