Indonesia Struggles to Contact Citizens After Vanuatu Earthquake

Indonesian Officials Work to Reach Citizens After Vanuatu Earthquake

Following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu ​on December 12,⁢ 2024, Indonesia’s ministry of Foreign Affairs is facing ​communication challenges as‍ they attempt to connect with Indonesian citizens residing ⁣in the island nation. As⁢ of December 17, 2024, the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra​ has reported difficulty reaching Indonesian citizens, diaspora members, and colleagues in Vanuatu. Hartyo Harkomoyo, Director of ⁢Facts⁣ and Media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,‍ ‍explained that the telecommunications network in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, is currently paralyzed. This information was relayed by Vanuatu authorities located in​ Sydney, Australia. “Until now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ⁣through the Indonesian Embassy ‌in‍ Canberra, continues ‌to ⁢try to contact Indonesian citizens, the diaspora and colleagues ther. The Indonesian Embassy also continues to try to contact officials ⁣and⁣ contact points​ in ⁢Vanuatu. Though, these contacts have not been able to be contacted,” stated Hartyo in a⁣ statement. Records indicate ‍that 48‍ Indonesian citizens are present in vanuatu. Out of this number, 47 are crew members, while one individual is an ⁣Indonesian citizen married to a foreign national.
## ⁢ Reaching Out in the aftermath



**Archyde ⁣speaks⁣ to Hartyo Harkomoyo, Director of Facts adn Media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about the⁤ challenges of ⁢connecting with Indonesian ​citizens in Vanuatu following the devastating earthquake.**



**Archyde:** Mr. Harkomoyo, can you‍ provide us with an update on the⁣ situation regarding‍ indonesian ⁤citizens in Vanuatu after the december 12th earthquake?





**Hartyo ⁣Harkomoyo:** As of December 17th, ⁣we’re facing significant communication challenges. The Indonesian Embassy​ in Canberra has been tirelessly trying to ‌reach our citizens,​ diaspora members, and colleagues in Vanuatu. However, the telecommunications‍ network in Port ​Vila‍ is currently down, making contact ​extremely difficult. We’ve received reports from Vanuatu authorities in ‌sydney ⁤confirming ⁣this paralysis.



**Archyde:** How many Indonesian citizens are believed to be in Vanuatu at this time?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** Our records indicate there are 48 Indonesian ⁢citizens present in Vanuatu. The majority,‌ 47, are crew members.⁤ There is also one individual ​who ⁣is⁣ an Indonesian citizen married to a foreign national.



**Archyde:** What steps are being taken to ensure the‍ safety and well-being of these individuals given the ‍communication breakdown?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** While we are unable to speak directly to them at the moment, ‍we are working through all ​available channels.The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra continues to ⁢try and ⁢establish contact ‍with officials and contact points ‌in Vanuatu, ⁣even though these attempts have been unsuccessful so far.‌ We are also coordinating with relevant international organizations and agencies to gain situational awareness and explore all possible avenues for assistance.



**Archyde:** This situation raises questions about disaster preparedness and communication in remote island⁣ nations. What lessons‍ can be learned from ⁤this experience?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** This is ⁤indeed a ‌wake-up ⁢call for the international community. Reliable and ⁢resilient ⁤communication systems are crucial during disasters, especially in geographically isolated areas.



**Archyde:** What​ can our readers do to help?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** We urge everyone to stay informed ‌about the ‍situation through reputable news sources. While ⁤direct assistance to individuals‌ in Vanuatu is currently ⁤hampered by the communication outage, supporting reputable international aid organizations⁣ working on the ground could make a significant difference.







**What measures can be ⁣put in place to improve disaster preparedness and⁢ response in ⁢similar ‌situations, ‍notably⁤ when communication networks are compromised?⁢ Share your ‌thoughts in ‍the comments below.**

## Archyde Speaks to Hartyo Harkomoyo, Director of Facts & Media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs



**Archyde:** Mr. Harkomoyo, thank you for speaking with us today. We understand the Indonesian Foreign Ministry is working tirelessly to connect with Indonesian citizens in Vanuatu following the recent earthquake. Can you provide an update on the situation?



**Hartyo harkomoyo:** Yes,certainly. As you know, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on December 12th. Since then, our primary concern has been the safety and well-being of the Indonesian citizens residing ther.



**Archyde:** Could you elaborate on the specific challenges the Ministry is facing in reaching these individuals?



**Hartyo harkomoyo:** The main obstacle is the breakdown in communication.Vanuatu authorities based in Sydney have informed us that the telecommunications network in Port Vila,the capital,is currently paralyzed. This makes it extremely challenging for us to establish contact with Indonesian citizens, diaspora members, and our colleagues on the ground. [ [1](https://www.newsweek.com/vanuatu-earthquake-today-update-what-we-know-port-vila-2002140) ]



**Archyde:** Are there any known Indonesian nationals who require immediate assistance?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** We have records indicating that there are 48 Indonesian citizens in Vanuatu at present.



**Archyde:** And what steps are being taken to connect with these individuals?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra has been relentlessly trying to reach our citizens through all available means. We are also attempting to contact officials and designated points of contact within Vanuatu, though these attempts have been unsuccessful so far. We remain hopeful that communication will be restored soon.



**Archyde:** What message would you like to convey to the Indonesian citizens in Vanuatu?



**Hartyo Harkomoyo:** We want to assure them that the Indonesian Government is doing everything in its power to reach them and provide any necessary assistance. We urge them to remain patient and stay safe until communication is restored.



**Archyde:** Thank you, Mr.Harkomoyo, for providing us with this vital update. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.