Tents set up in the carpark of the Vanuatu National Disaster Management office to house the numerous bi-lateral, multi-lateral and non-government agencies providing support to the earthquake response in Port Vila. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
The number of official deaths from Vanuatu's 7.3 magnitude quake now stands at 12.
This has been confirmed by the Vila Central Hospital, according to the latest situation report from the Vanuatu Disaster Management office.
Earlier unofficial reports had placed the death toll at 16.
The hospital says 80,000 people have been impacted by the disaster with the response effort hampered by damages to core infrastructure including the country's telecommunications network.
Over 210 people have been injured so far with eight people rescued by joint police operations.
Dozens of officers from bi-lateral and multi-lateral partners, UN agencies and non-government organisations are supporting local authorities working around the clock to reach those most affected.
A state of emergency for the worst hit areas remains in effect with a nightly curfew.
Officers in the joint police operations are forcibly relocating people deemed to be living in high-risk areas or damaged and dangerous buildings.
Vanuatu police and mobile force officers are having to force shop owners to leave their damaged buildings. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
The most severe damage has been to 10 buildings most of them in the CBD as well as the Vila Central Hospital.
Several crucial bridges in the capital have been damaged with the Tagabe bridge in particular at risk of collapse if there is any significant flooding.
Two major water reserves at Ohlen which supply Port Vila have been completely destroyed and the public water network is still being assessed.
Power is also still being restored to parts of the city and the telecommunications network is still not back up to full capacity.
The clean-up continues in quake-affected Vanuatu. Some large shops are yet to reopen. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
Clearance work is underway for the massive landslip at the Ports Area. The port facility remains closed for all incoming vessels.
Meanwhile commercial airline services resume today with hundreds of Vanuatu seasonal workers stranded since the quake on Tuesday due back in the country today.