CareFlight and NCCTRC partner to deliver emergency response for Vanuatu earthquake
19 Mar 2025
Written by Michelle Foster
In times of crisis, Australia’s healthcare and emergency response consistently deliver expert medical care when it is needed most. A recent collaboration between CareFlight and the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) demonstrated the strength and effectiveness of these partnerships in Darwin.
On 18 December 2024, less than 24 hours after the earthquake struck, CareFlight’s G150 jet played a pivotal role in deploying the first Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) to Vanuatu. The urgent need for medical assistance in Vanuatu triggered an international response, with the Australian Government ultimately sending three AUSMAT teams during the Christmas and New Year period. Learn more in United in support: AUSMAT’s response to Vanuatu’s earthquake.
In 2024, the Australian Government provided vital funding to ensure CareFlight’s fixed-wing jets were available for critical AUSMAT missions. This financial support was crucial for the swift transport of the first AUSMAT team and essential medical supplies to Vanuatu, as well as for the evacuation of Australian citizens needing urgent repatriation.
This mission was part of a coordinated international effort that saw contributions from multiple countries. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) captured the scale of the global response in the infographic below.
This backing highlighted the Australian Government's commitment to maintaining a responsive and capable aeromedical system, both for domestic and international health emergencies. The AUSMAT deployment to Vanuatu reinforced Australia’s leadership in humanitarian aid during health emergencies.
By merging advanced aeromedical services with highly skilled emergency medical teams, the mission emphasised the importance of rapid responses and global collaboration in saving lives and aiding vulnerable communities.
It served as a poignant reminder of the critical role organisations like CareFlight and NCCTRC play in disaster response, embodying compassion, expertise, and international solidarity.
