China Sends Emergency Relief to Vanuatu After Devastating Earthquake

China has sent emergency relief supplies to Vanuatu following the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the country on December 17.

The 35-tonne aid package, which arrived on January 2, includes tents, folding beds, water purification equipment, solar lights, food, and medical supplies.

In addition to the shipment, China had already provided $1 million in emergency assistance to help with the recovery efforts.

The Vanuatu government requested China’s support, which led to the deployment of four engineering experts to help rebuild after the earthquake.

This is the first time China has sent an emergency post-disaster assessment team to a Pacific island nation.

The earthquake caused the deaths of 14 people, injured hundreds, and affected around 330,000 people.

Vanuatu's Caretaker Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, thanked China for its quick help and called for continued international support to aid the nation’s recovery.