The rescue team deployed after the earthquake in Vanuatu has been welcomed to New Zealand

The rescue team sent to Vanuatu over Christmas to support the country’s disaster response after a deadly 7.3 magnitude earthquake has returned to New Zealand.

After a challenging ten-day deployment, the team landed in Auckland at around 7pm on Friday and returned to Auckland City Fire Station for a banquet and debriefing.

“We responded at a special time of year for families and they showed the utmost professionalism,” Ken Cooper, head of the Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce, told RNZ.

“The wellbeing of our team is vital to us, so we will debrief the team and they will be given time off to recover before returning to their stations. We’ll also make sure we check in with them in the following weeks to make sure they’re safe.” “We’re doing well.”

Despite a 24-hour delay caused by engine failure on one of the Hercules aircraft carrying the team and their equipment, Cooper said they were able to hit the ground running.

“Upon arrival we were immediately put to work, we received some contracts from the Vanuatu government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and carried out search and rescue of some properties including the (New Zealand) High Commission and another building called the Billabong building.” he said.

“Once we completed the search and rescue phase, we began assessing the damaged buildings… (We) are submitting a report to the Government of Vanuatu which will enable them to prioritize the most severely damaged buildings to ensure that no further damage occurs There is a risk to the community.”

Cooper said it was a challenging and emotional mission, but a bright spot was when his team was invited to a community dinner on Christmas Day.

“The team were invited to a community Christmas party, we were welcomed into a village to which we had given evacuation information, and in return they invited us to spend time with them… So we had a very special Christmas dinner and then…” ” We have returned to our duties,” he said.

“Christmas Day was a normal working day for us, so we started every day around 5:30 a.m. because it was cooler. We deliberately took breaks to come together as a team and reflect on the tasks we had taken on and we remembered the families at home.

“It was a very special moment for her to call home and receive video messages.”

Although the team returned for some much-needed rest, Cooper said the disaster was not over.

“Although we have returned as a team, New Zealand’s response will continue. There will be support.”

“We have offered support to the engineers and I am sure the New Zealand government will continue to provide assistance if Vanuatu requests it.”

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