Search and Rescue ends, focus shifts to recovery

December 23, 2024 11:21 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Nicholas Mwai.

The aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake in Vanuatu has left parts of the Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding areas in ruins. Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts have officially concluded, with the focus now shifting to recovery and rebuilding, according to Royson Willie, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation.

Authorities have declared several areas off-limits due to safety concerns, including the town, Ellouk hillside, and the road to the main wharf.

“These areas are still classified as disaster zones. The public is strictly prohibited from entering them, as many buildings and infrastructure remain unsafe,” Willie said.

SAR operations, aimed at finding survivors, have now ended. Willie noted that the mission at Wharf Road was particularly challenging. “Rescuers attempted to dig through the debris, but it was too risky to proceed,” he said.

The confirmed death toll currently stands at 14, with numbers verified by Vila Central Hospital (VCH).

With 99% of roads already restored, work is ongoing to clear and reopen the remaining affected areas, including Klems Hill and the road to the wharf. “Some of the buildings in the downtown area will need to be demolished,” Willie stated, adding that authorities are still confirming the total number of structures slated for demolition.

The focus now turns to recovery, with authorities planning the clearance and rebuilding of critical infrastructure in the affected zones.