At least 12,500 children in Vanuatu face starting the school year in temporary learning centres after December’s earthquakes destroyed or damaged over 100 classrooms, Save the Children said.
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake near Port Vila triggered landslides and caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. The Vanuatu Government reported 80,000 affected residents, 14 fatalities—including two children—and over 200 injuries.
Aileen, 18, was preparing for her final high school year when the disaster struck. “I feel the future in Vanuatu will be harder because now the schools have been damaged. I don’t know where we, students, will get our education,” she said.
Vanuatu’s school year starts February 3, but the cyclone season and persistent aftershocks hinder recovery efforts. The government estimates it will take three to four years to rebuild classrooms, many of which require disaster-resilient designs.
Save the Children is aiding recovery by establishing temporary classrooms, providing psychosocial support, and assisting in long-term reconstruction.
“In the aftermath of any disaster, it is critical for children… to return to their normal routines as soon as possible,” said Polly Banks, Save the Children Vanuatu Country Director.
The organization, active in Vanuatu for over 40 years, emphasized the importance of global support to build resilient infrastructure amid escalating climate threats.