U.S. Ambassador Eric Yastishock departs his post today, January 16, after two years serving as Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Eric Sheffield will continue to lead the U.S. Embassy in Port Vila as Chargé d’Affaires.
“I am proud of the progress the United States and Vanuatu have made together over the last two years and of the strong partnership we continue to build,” said Ambassador Yastishock.
From a press release it states that since the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Port Vila in 2024, the United States and Vanuatu have expanded cooperation across education, health, security, and disaster preparedness. Even following the 2024 earthquake that destroyed the embassy building, operations continued, reflecting the resilience of the ni-Vanuatu people and the United States’ commitment to support Vanuatu’s recovery.
Bilateral cooperation deepened through expanded health and disaster preparedness efforts and U.S.-funded academic and professional exchanges, including the International Visitor Leadership Program, Fulbright, and Young Pacific Leaders programs. Following the 2024 earthquake, the U.S. government immediately provided 30 million vatu in relief supplies.
During the visit of the USS John L. Canley as part of Pacific Partnership 2025, U.S. Navy medical teams provided free services to more than 4,000 ni-Vanuatu patients, supporting community health and professional partnerships. The U.S. also increased training offerings for the Vanuatu Police Force and National Disaster Management Office and provided a 200 million vatu grant to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department for modernizing weather forecasting systems.
2025 also marked the 35th anniversary of Peace Corps Vanuatu, with more than 850 volunteers serving in the country and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Together, the United States and Vanuatu continue to build a strong foundation for partnership that supports a safer, stronger, and more prosperous future for both nations.
Photo credits: U.S. Embassy Port Vila
