Vanuatu earthquake: concerns for women, people with disabilities

‘This is the worst’: Concerns for women and people with disabilities following devastating earthquake in Vanuatu

Aid workers are deeply concerned for women, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Vanuatu, after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit Port Vila earlier this week.

At least nine people have died from the disaster, and emergency services and aid workers are desperately searching for dozens of other missing people beneath collapsed buildings and debris.

Carol Angir, the head of ActionAid Australia’s humanitarian programs, was in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, delivering a woman-led emergency response training course when the earthquake hit.

“I’ve been through earthquakes before but this is the worst,” Angir said.

“Everyone has been affected. Three of us hid under the table as the earth shook violently underneath us.  And when it was over, I went out front and I have never seen anything like this. 

“My colleagues were shaking with fright and all of our stationery and office equipment were scattered all over the floor.”

ActionAid Australia’s office in Port Vila, Vanuatu, following the earthquake. Credit: Supplied (ActionAid Australia)

Meanwhile, her colleague and ActionAid Australia’s Disability Inclusion Officer, Ellen Tamata, was thrown out of her wheelchair from the impact of the earthquake.

Another ActionAid colleague sustained bruising to her face, and Angir said an ActionAid Vanuatu team member, Helen, was at the airport in Port Vila with her children and had to help people safely out of the building.

Angir said there is no electricity or running water in Port Vila as a result of the earthquake. Entire buildings in the nation’s capital have collapsed, with many feared to be trapped underneath the rubble.

Collapsed buildings, rubble and debris line the streets of Port Vila, Vanuatu. Credit: Supplied (ActionAid Australia)

But Angir’s main concern is for women and people with disabilities outside of Port Vila, who reside in unsafe housing conditions.

“I will go and assess the damage in the coming day and focus on how best to support this highly vulnerable group of people with disabilities,” Angir said.

Studies show women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis and climate disasters. Women make up 80 per cent of people who are displaced by climate change, and the data shows rates of food insecurity, sexual violence and child marriages are increased during climate crises.

Women are also 14 times more likely to die in a climate disaster than men.

People with disabilities face similar heightened risks during climate disasters, and according to the UNHCR, 80 per cent of persons with disabilities live in low and middle-income countries, many of which are highly climate vulnerable.

Overnight, 148 Australian citizens in Vanuatu were assisted home by the Australian government, who sent Royal Australian Air Force Flights to retrieve people in the Pacific Island nation.

The aftermath of the earthquake in Vanuatu. Credit: Supplied (ActionAid Australia)

Australia has also delivered a $2 million immediate response package to Vanuatu, including a 64-person Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and two canines. This will assist Vanuatu authorities and humanitarian aid workers in search and rescue efforts.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong released a statement following the “dreadful tragedy” of the earthquake, saying Australia “stands with the people of Vanuatu”.

“My message to the people of Vanuatu is Australia is here to help. This immediate package of support will ensure those in urgent need receive lifesaving assistance.”

*** If you would like to donate to ActionAid’s emergency appeal for Vanuatu, head here: https://vanuatu.actionaid.org.au/ ***

Featured photo: People gathering outside ActionAid Australia’s building after the earthquake. Credit: Supplied (AcitonAid Australia)

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