According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, a third of the population has been affected by a magnitude 7.3 quake.
Rescuers in Vanuatu are searching for survivors of a massive earthquake that killed at least 14 people in the Pacific island nation.
The magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck the capital Port Vila on Tuesday reduced buildings to rubble, triggered landslides and crippled power and telecommunications infrastructure.
Katie Greenwood, the Asia-Pacific director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said on Wednesday that authorities had reported 14 confirmed deaths and 200 others were being treated for injuries at Port Vila’s main hospital.
Dan McGarry, a Canadian-born journalist who has lived in Vanuatu for more than 20 years, said it was a “reasonable expectation” that the death toll would continue to rise.
“I am concerned that it will rise and the government expects that the number of victims will rise, if not the death toll,” McGarry told Al Jazeera.
McGarry said rescuers were searching for people who might be trapped under rubble or rubble.
“We also have people who may have been trapped under a very large landslide near our international shipping terminal. We know that six deaths have been confirmed in this area so far,” he said.
Australia and New Zealand have announced that they will deploy medical and rescue teams to provide assistance from Wednesday.
“Australia stands with the people of Vanuatu after yesterday’s devastating earthquake. Our deepest condolences go out to the people of this wonderful, beautiful country, especially after the tragic loss of life there,” Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said at a news conference on Wednesday.
“We know from initial reports that significant damage has occurred there and, at the request of the Government of Vanuatu, we are sending emergency assistance today.”
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it estimated that about a third of the archipelago’s population of about 335,000 people would suffer the worst effects of the quake.
“Telecommunications continue to be disrupted, affecting the timeliness of field reports from remote areas,” the U.N. office said in a situation report.
“Access to the airport and water port is severely limited due to road damage. Key immediate needs include health support, shelter, access to clean water and restoring emergency communications.”
Michael Thompson, an Australian citizen who runs a zipline adventure company in Vanuatu, said in a post on Facebook that he helped with rescue efforts and that three people were found alive in the rubble overnight.
“Incredible displays of bravery as people enter confined spaces to conduct rescue operations,” Thompson wrote.
A complex housing the diplomatic missions of Britain, France, New Zealand and the United States is among the buildings that suffered severe damage, with part of the building collapsing and leveling the ground floor.
McGarry said the impact of the disaster would be felt by virtually everyone in the archipelago because of the close-knit community.
“Everyone knows everyone else, so the human toll we’re really feeling here is really, really high. Maybe more than other places,” McGarry said.
However, McGarry said the people of Vanuatu had extensive experience with natural disasters such as cyclones and were largely calm despite the toll.
“The general mood here is very positive despite the large number of people. People are very cooperative and patient with each other,” McGarry said.
“There is still a very strong spirit of cooperation in Vanuatu society,” he added.
