$5m more in aid to Vanuatu after earthquake
Australia is sending a 16-person medical assistance team to the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu to support local health services and address critical injuries.
Australia has pledged $5m more in aid to Vanuatu, taking the government’s total commitment to $7m following last week’s deadly earthquake.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, who is acting foreign minister, announced on Sunday that the Albanese government would send a 16-person Australian Medical Assistance Team to the Pacific archipelago to support local health services and address critical injuries.
The 64-person disaster assistance response team Australia deployed in the immediate aftermath of the incident, which has been assisting with search and rescue efforts, as well as a six-person AUSMAT team will return home.
The new injection of resources adds to at least 20 other Australian staff that have been assisting recovery and rescue efforts.
The funding includes $2.5m for medical care for those injured, and money for water, sanitation and hygiene products and services.
“Assistance will also be directed to NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership consortium to address the distinct needs of vulnerable community members and to the Australian Red Cross, who in partnership with Vanuatu Red Cross will deliver services and supplies including shelter, first aid and non-food items,” Mr Dreyfus said alongside three frontbench colleagues.
Vanuatu experienced a magnitude-7.3 earthquake on Tuesday, which triggered a tsunami alert. There have been aftershocks since, including one on Sunday morning, which registered at magnitude-6.1.
The government has been repatriating Australians from the archipelago aboard military aircraft that have been delivering humanitarian aid.
In total, 568 people have been returned to Australia since Wednesday.
The Royal Australian Air Force conducted two more flights to Port Vila on Sunday, with the capital’s international airport also reopening to commercial flights.
The earthquake killed at least 16 people and injured more than 200 others.
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