The Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the following statement today following yesterday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu.
We are deeply concerned for the people of Vanuatu in the wake of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake which struck on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. We are communicating with Church leaders and government officials on the ground to understand the impact of the disaster on our members and friends throughout Vanuatu.
All full-time missionaries in Vanuatu are safe and accounted for.
As we understand needs more clearly in the coming hours, we will mobilise our humanitarian efforts to provide food, water, medicine, temporary shelter, and other supplies as needed. We will work with the Vanuatu Government and other organisations to contribute to the emergency response in an organised and effective manner.
We urge Latter-day Saints throughout the world, and all people, to pray for the people of Vanuatu, seeking God's comfort and blessing to be upon the people.
We pray that our collective response will be swift, coordinated, and exactly what is needed to alleviate suffering and foster resilience and recovery.
Pacific Area Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints