ADB approves VT61 million grant for earthquake relief

January 8, 2025 9:55 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a VT61 million grant to the Vanuatu Government from its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) to help finance the country’s response to support emergency relief efforts following the earthquake.

Fourteen people died in the 7.3 magnitude quake which caused significant damage to downtown Port Vila including water supply mains and reservoirs, power lines, commercial buildings, embassies and a hospital.

“This grant will complement government resources and other development partner assistance in providing financing to support life-sustaining needs such as the provision of water, food and medical kits,” said ADB Regional Director, Shane Rosenthal.

ADB’s support will help alleviate Vanuatu’s immediate financial, logistic, and other constraints to meet immediate response needs and deliver medical services where required. The APDRF grant will complement ADB’s past and current responses to Vanuatu following disasters.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.