The 7.3-magnitude disaster caused widespread damage, particularly in the heart of Port Vila, leaving over 70 shops unable to operate. Photo: Vanuatu Police Force
In the aftermath of December's devastating earthquake, many people in the capital, Port Vila have been displaced and left jobless.
The magnitude 7.3 quake on 17 December killed 14 people and has displaced almost 1500 people from their homes.
The country's caretaker government has restricted access to Port Vila's central business district (CBD) as the recovery continues.
Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) journalist, Charles Sumbe said without access to the CBD people have been left jobless.
"People will either move to the other town and maybe up North we don't know unless the CBD sets up in a place where people can go back to work, otherwise it's a fear that we might have everybody participating in the labour mobility scheme," Sumbe said.
Restrictions remain in parts of the Port Vila capital following the 7.3 earthquake on 17 December, 2024 Photo: Vanuatu Police Force
He said according to the National Disaster Management Office it would take two years for the CBD to return to normal.
Sumbe said people are "forcing themselves" to get back to normal life as best they can.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu's Ministry of Education estimates it will cost over US$8 million to rebuild damaged schools.
The director of policy John Gideon told Vanuatu's Daily Post newspaper that Malapoa College accounts for about half of the cost.
He said 45 schools, mostly in Port Vila, were damaged.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) Emalus Campus and its centres remain closed.
Vanuatu's country director for Save the Children Polly Banks said close to 13,000 children will require a temporary learning solution when they return to school due to earthquake damage.
In 2023 three severe cyclones also battered the country.
"We know that different areas of education are going backwards so for example literacy rates are not improving but rather going in the other direction and that is directly linked to the number of lost days at school and particularly climate induced disasters like cyclones."
Banks said children are suffering from the psychological impacts of the earthquake.
Out of the 14 people killed, two were children and about 700 children have been displaced from their homes.
Banks said five child-friendly spaces had been set up in Port Vila and surrounding communities.
"We've reached more than 550 children through those child-friendly spaces, and they're providing a really important place for children to come and feel safe and secure and receive that psychosocial support but also just a place to come and have a bit of joy and fun in their lives."
