Vanuatu Gets Back-to-Back Earthquakes, Cyclone

The Pacific nation of Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency as it reels from an earthquake and two cyclones in as many days.

The 6.5 magnitude quake struck on Friday, a day after category four Cyclone Judy swept through the islands.

The storm caused widespread damage and flooding across the country. No casualties have been reported yet.

A category three storm, Cyclone Kevin, arrived on Friday, bringing destructive winds of up to 130km/h (81mph).

Hundreds of people had fled to evacuation centres in the capital Port Vila ahead of the second cyclone.

"We are a resilient people. We will get through this," Vanuatu's Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau told broadcaster RNZ Pacific on Friday.

Aid workers have described the situation as unprecedented.

"It's crazy, Vanuatu is used to natural disasters, but I think this is the first time it has had two cyclones back-to-back," said UNICEF's Eric Durpaire, according to AFP news agency.

He said he had heard reports that Wednesday's storm had ripped off the roof of an infant ward in Vanuatu Central Hospital.

Cyclone Judy flooded roads and uprooted trees after it cut a north to south path through the island.