Reporting period: 27 December 2024 to 5 May 2025
Foreword
On 17 December 2024, the people of Vanuatu faced unimaginable devastation as a 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the nation, claiming lives and damaging homes, schools and vital infrastructure, and heightening the risk of waterborne diseases.
Thanks to our loyal donors and supporters, The Salvation Army has responded with compassion, commitment, and collaboration. In partnership with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Vanuatu, local governments, agencies and the international community, we restored water systems, provided essential items and brought hope to 10 communities impacted by the earthquake (including Tagabe).
Your generous support made this possible. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are not only meeting urgent needs but also building a foundation for lasting recovery and resilience.
23%of all earthquake affected people received support from The Salvation Army. (Based on Vanuatu Government estimate of 80,000 affected) |
With deep gratitude,
Authorised by
Lieutenant-Colonel Gregory Morgan
June 2025
Our impact
The Salvation Army responds
After the earthquake struck, the local Salvation Army church, 21 Jump Street, Tagabe, quickly became a lifeline for the 490-strong Tagabe community in Port Vila, Vanuatu. With power and water cut off, people gathered at the church to charge phones via the church’s solar system and collect water from three damaged but working rainwater tanks.
“No one could get cash—all the banks, ATMs and the post office were closed—and even if they found food, they couldn’t buy it,” said Elizabeth, a local Salvation Army leader. Within two hours of the earthquake, Elizabeth and a team of Salvos volunteers harvested fruit and vegetables from their garden and cooked kai kai (food) daily, providing 7000 free meals from the church to neighbours for seven days.
More than 265 injured people were treated at the overwhelmed Vila Central Hospital. Vital infrastructure was severely damaged and clean water was scarce, raising fears of waterborne disease. Leading The Salvation Army’s response, Daryl Crowden, General Manager Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES), and Major Darren Elsley, Remote and Rural Chaplain (NSW), worked with the community to repair, replace and reseat the church’s rainwater tanks and communal shower blocks within four days of arriving.
Further assessments led to a broader rapid response plan. Ten 10,000-litre water tanks were installed at eight schools and two health facilities in partnership with ADRA Vanuatu and UNICEF Pacific. A voucher program, targeting 468 people across 122 households, helped families buy essential items, tools for home repairs and school supplies, with vouchers redeemed at a local business to support the local economy.
Despite early challenges due to the government's caretaker status, The Salvation Army —supported by the Australia Territory, International Headquarters and partner organisations — was able to address urgent needs while laying the foundation for long-term recovery and community resilience.
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How you’ve helped
Thanks to our generous donors and supporters, the 2024 Vanuatu Earthquake Appeal raised $19,996. Together with additional funding from The Salvation Army International Headquarters and the Australia Territory, these vital funds supported more than 18,464 people in the South Pacific island nation.
$69,336 total funds:
How the money* was spent:
*Australian dollars
“During [the weeks following the earthquake] the politicians have been promising all kinds of things to our community – if we vote for them – but they have actually done nothing, given nothing, not even been here until the week before the election. But you, Salvation Army, you were here among us, you stayed, ran, came back, and when you said you would be back, and you promised to help – not just your church but the community – you did it. Thank you, on behalf of all of 21 Jump Street.
– Chief Kaltonal, hereditary chief of the 21 Jump Street, Tagabe community
Nuakwanabu Primary School, Teouma Bush
Before the earthquake, water supply was already a challenge for many schools and health facilities in Vanuatu. When the earthquake hit, tanks were overturned, slabs cracked, and guttering was torn from roofs and the ground. Restoring water access quickly became a priority.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, The Salvation Army partnered with ADRA Vanuatu to restore water systems at eight schools and two health centres in rural Port Vila—using 100 percent of donated funds.
At one remote school, 20 km from town, Head Teacher Philimon Joseph had salvaged damaged tanks to collect rainwater—but the supply was unsafe and insufficient for the 250 students scheduled to return in just three weeks. The new earthquake and cyclone-resistant system installed will now provide safe, clean water and four times the previous capacity for the students and surrounding community.
Thank you
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, supporters and everyday Aussies – along with the vital collaboration of local and international agencies and the incredible efforts of local volunteers – The Salvation Army was able to immediately mobilise support as the earthquake devastated Vanuatu.
We are proud to have worked alongside our valued partners:
- Vanuatu Government: National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO), Recovery Operations Centre (ROC), Department of Water Resources (DoWR)
- UN Clusters: Education, WASH, Shelter, Displacement and Health
- NGOs: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), World Vision, ADRA Vanuatu, The Vanuatu Association of Non-Governmental Organization (VANGO) and Rotary
- UN agencies: UNICEF, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Your collaboration was vital, and we are grateful for your shared commitment to recovery.
Rolyn’s story
When the earthquake struck Vanuatu, Rolyn was at home in 21 Jump Street with her five-month-old baby and one-year-old brother. Like most people in Vanuatu, she had experienced an earthquake, but the ground shook more violently than she’d ever felt before. Without stopping to gather belongings, Rolyn grabbed the children and ran—joining hundreds of neighbours fleeing to the hills, fearing a tsunami. “One thing we know is that if a tsunami is coming—we go to the hills,” she says.
For five days, Rolyn stayed with strangers who opened their homes and hearts. “Now they are friends,” she smiles. But when she returned, her house was leaning at a dangerous angle and was likely to be condemned. Everything she owned was inside. With nowhere to go, she turned to Mama Lilyrose and The Salvation Army, where she and the children found shelter and support.
Mama Lilyrose is the founder and local leader of The Salvation Army in Vanuatu, known for her open arms and strong faith. In times of crisis, her doors—and heart—are always open.
Thanks to your generous donations, Rolyn received a voucher from the Salvos that allowed her to buy food, baby supplies, and essentials for her brother.
Volunteers from the local Salvation Army fellowship knocked on every door gathering household data so the Army could provide a voucher to every impacted household in the 21 Jump Street area. 468 people in 122 households were targeted. The vouchers were purchased from a local business so that people could replace broken or damaged household and kitchen items and buy tools for small repairs and back-to-school supplies.
“I want to thank the people of Australia who made these things possible. Everyone is blessed; God used you guys to help. The people of 21 Jump Street are so happy since Thursday when you gave vouchers; I can see smiles on their faces,” Rolyn said.
“People are still scared. We need more help, but not stuff; we need help to come ‘home’, not because our houses are damaged – we need help to forget.”
The Salvation Army and other agencies have provided and are continuing to provide mental health and psychosocial support to communities and impacted people.
