More than VT250,000 risk allowance for each force member

Each of the 430 members of the Vanuatu Police Force (VFC) and civilian staff involved in the December 2024 earthquake response will receive an average estimated risk allowance of VT254,186.

The government, through the Council of Ministers (COM) has approved a total of VT109.3 million to be distributed across three main categories.

More than a year after the devastating earthquake, the allowances recognized the critical work carried out by faced by the force members during “Operation Tahara,” the emergency response operation from 17–30 December 2024.

The payments will be treated as one-off and final allowances for personnel involved in the immediate disaster response.

COM has instructed the Ministry of Finance to include the claims in the 2026 Supplementary Budget, ensuring the payments are processed and settled.

Officials emphasized that the allowances are a formal acknowledgment of the dedication and service of police officers, VPF personnel, and civilian staff who worked under challenging conditions to support communities in earthquake-affected areas.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat, who oversees the VPF, expressed gratitude to the officers for their dedication during the earthquake response.

“This is something the Government has done similar to what was done for the health sector,” he said.

Napuat highlighted the challenging conditions faced by the officers, who guarded affected areas inside the CDB and other high-risk zones, working day and night until the immediate response was complete and recovery operations began.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to recognizing their efforts and thanked the Deputy Prime Minister for his support, as well as COM for recognizing the officers for their work.

The force members’ allowance was announced one year and two months after the disaster.