The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says a third of the population was affected by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake.
Rescuers in Vanuatu are racing to locate survivors of a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 14 people in the Pacific island nation.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the capital, Port Vila, on Tuesday reduced buildings to rubble, triggered landslides and destroyed electrical and telecommunications infrastructure.
Katie Greenwood, Asia Pacific director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said on Wednesday that authorities had reported 14 confirmed deaths and another 200 people were being treated for injuries at the main hospital. from Port Vila.
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 rise further.
“I am concerned that it is going to increase and the government expects the death toll, if not the death toll, to increase,” McGarry told Al Jazeera.
McGarry said rescuers were looking for people who may be trapped under rubble or rubble.
“We also have people who may have been trapped under a very large landslide near our international marine terminal. We know that so far there are six confirmed fatalities in that town,” he said.
Australia and New Zealand have announced the deployment of medical and rescue teams starting Wednesday to provide assistance.
“Australia stands with the people of Vanuatu following yesterday's devastating earthquake. “Our deepest condolences go out to the people of that wonderful, beautiful country, particularly after the tragic loss of life there,” Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said at a news conference on Wednesday.
“We know from early reports that there has been quite significant damage there and, at the request of the Vanuatu government, we are deploying immediate 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 had been affected by the worst effects of the earthquake.
“Telecommunications remain disrupted and are affecting the timeliness of field reporting from remote areas,” the UN office said in an update on the situation.
“Access to the airport and water port is very limited due to road damage. Key immediate needs include health support, shelter, access to clean water and the restoration of emergency communications.”
Michael Thompson, an Australian citizen who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said in a Facebook post that he had been assisting in rescue efforts and that three people had been found alive in the rubble overnight.
“Incredible displays of bravery with people entering confined spaces to perform rescues,” Thompson wrote.
A complex housing the diplomatic missions of Britain, France, New Zealand and the United States was among the buildings that suffered severe damage, with a section of the structure collapsing and crushing the first floor.
McGarry said virtually everyone in the archipelago would feel the cost of the disaster because of its close-knit community.
“Everyone knows each other, so the human cost we feel here is very, very serious. Maybe more than other places,” McGarry said.
McGarry said, however, that the people of Vanuatu have extensive experience of natural disasters such as cyclones and were largely calm despite the human cost.
“The mood here overall has been very positive despite the human cost. People are being very cooperative and patient with each other,” McGarry said.
“Vanuatu society still has a very strong spirit of cooperation,” he added.
