The Department of State has elevated its Travel Advisory for Vanuatu to Level 3, advising U.S. citizens to reconsider travel plans due to infrastructure damage caused by a recent earthquake. This update, effective December 20, 2024, supersedes the previous advisory from July 24, 2023.
According to the advisory, "The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to Vanuatu following the December 17, 2024, earthquake, which caused significant damage to local infrastructure." The advisory highlights that the ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency assistance is currently limited and that departure options are disrupted.
Within Vanuatu, several buildings have sustained severe damage and curfews are being enforced in certain areas. Travelers are encouraged to stay informed through local reports and adhere strictly to instructions from local authorities.
The advisory provides specific recommendations for those who decide to proceed with their travel plans despite the warning. These include postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve and preparing for potential disruptions by securing adequate supplies of water, food, and medications.
Travelers are also advised to keep their documents updated and accessible and have evacuation plans that do not depend on U.S. government assistance. Enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is recommended for receiving alerts and facilitating location tracking during emergencies.
For more detailed information on safety measures and health precautions related to traveling in Vanuatu during this period, travelers can refer to additional resources such as the country information page and Country Security Report provided by the Department of State.
