Pacific Partnership Returns to Vanuatu for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Mission

PORT VILA, Vanuatu – Pacific Partnership has made a significant return to Vanuatu to commence the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region.

The mission began on July 15, with service members from the U.S. and Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) engaging in meet-and-greet sessions and information exchanges with Vanuatu medical staff at the Port Vila Central Hospital. This iteration of Pacific Partnership 2024-2 is aimed at enhancing disaster response capabilities and fostering lasting friendships between the participants, including U.S. and Ni-Vanuatu people.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with the government and people of Vanuatu, engaging in subject matter expert exchanges focusing on medical care, disaster relief, and community outreach,” said Capt. Daniel Keeler, mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2024-2. “Establishing these international and interagency relationships is crucial for enhancing our preparedness during crises and bolstering our emergency response capabilities. Moreover, the joint conclusion of the Pacific Partnership Vanuatu closing ceremony paired with the inauguration of the U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu underscores our steadfast dedication to the nation and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”

The Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Vanuatu closing ceremony and the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu took place on July 19, 2024, in front of the new embassy office near downtown Port Vila.

“As an active duty Navy sailor tasked with establishing a new U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu, I couldn’t be more proud of the Pacific Partnership team here. This particular group demonstrated great agility in accomplishing the mission and much more,” said Capt. Mark Asuncion. “The meaning of partnership rose to a much greater level this week with the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Port Vila, built to enhance a strategic alliance.”

Throughout the past week, Pacific Partnership led a HA/DR workshop with international civil and military communities, including the Vanuatu Ministry of Climate Change, the National Disaster Management Office, and local law enforcement agencies. Medical teams conducted multinational exchanges, infection prevention and control training, hands-on demonstrations, and life support training. Host nation outreach events included engagements with faith leaders, non-governmental organizations, and schools, as well as musical performances by members of the Vanuatu Mobile Force, Japanese Self Defense Forces, and the U.S. Navy band.

Pacific Partnership 2024-2 will also include stops in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Events are synchronized with the host nation and organized according to their specific requests and needs.

Born out of the devastation caused by the December 2004 tsunami that affected parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation, the U.S. spearheaded the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006, leveraging the proficiencies of partner nation militaries and non-governmental organizations to expand disaster relief capacity in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

Now in its 20th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational HA/DR preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team collaborates with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.