Port Vila Residents Face Hardship and Fear After Series of Devastating Earthquakes

Residents of Port Vila, Vanuatu, are grappling with the lingering effects of trauma and fear following a series of powerful earthquakes that have rattled their community. The most recent tremor, registering 6.1 on the Richter scale, struck early Sunday morning, shaking many from their sleep and reigniting fears from the devastating 7.3 magnitude quake that occurred just last Tuesday. In the aftermath, a significant number of families have opted to leave their homes, erecting makeshift tents in open spaces as a precautionary measure against ongoing aftershocks. Tom Alick Noel, chairman of the seaside community disaster committee, spoke about the difficult choices facing many residents. "Some families are still afraid to go back to their homes, so they set up these small tents to sleep in them outside," he said, highlighting the psychological toll the earthquakes have taken on the community. Enneth Fred, president of the Central Ward’s council of women, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that families would remain in these temporary shelters as long as the state of emergency remains in effect. The emotional scars are evident, with Fred noting the visible distress on the faces of community members, especially among women. “You can see tears, you can see fear, you can see panic attacks, and it still haunts them,” she lamented. In an effort to unite the community and alleviate some of the anxiety, local leaders have organized daily activities designed to foster a sense of togetherness. These gatherings include devotions, games, and activities aimed at providing children with a respite from the turmoil. Fred expressed hope that these events would help individuals feel less isolated during this challenging time. Reflecting on her own experience during the quake, Fred described the terror she felt while on the top floor of a multi-story building when the tremor struck. "It was a very scary experience and one that I will never forget in my life," she said, adding that she believes the community must learn from this experience. She advocates for improved construction practices in the future to enhance safety and resilience against such natural disasters. As the community continues to recover, the death toll from the recent quake has tragically risen to 12, as reported in the latest updates. Local authorities are also taking precautionary measures, urging residents living in landslide and flood-prone areas to seek safer ground as forecasts predict several days of inclement weather starting Monday. The road ahead for Port Vila will undoubtedly be challenging as residents confront the physical and emotional aftermath of the quakes. Community leaders remain committed to supporting their neighbors, with hopes of rebuilding not just structures, but trust and resilience among the people of Vanuatu.