India pledges $5,00,000 Relief aid to Vanuatu following 7.4 magnitude Earthquake
India has pledged $500,000 in relief aid to Vanuatu following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck near the island’s capital, Port Vila, on December 17, 2024. The earthquake resulted in significant destruction, killing 14 people and injuring over 250 others.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the assistance on January 2, 2025, emphasizing that this aid is a gesture of solidarity as part of India’s commitment to support its friends in the Pacific region through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). The funds will be directed towards relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Vanuatu.
India’s response underscores its ongoing commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), which is a key component of its Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) aimed at disaster risk reduction and management. The Indian government has expressed its condolences to the people of Vanuatu and reiterated its readiness to offer further support during this challenging time.
