CANBERRA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has committed additional humanitarian assistance for Vanuatu following December's deadly earthquake.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy on Saturday announced a 10 million Australian dollar (6.1 million U.S. dollar) package to support the restoration of essential services and infrastructure in Vanuatu.

They said in a joint statement that the package will focus on education, health and transport and will be delivered through local systems and partners.

It builds on the Australian government's initial commitment of seven million Australian dollars (4.3 million U.S. dollars) of practical humanitarian assistance for the initial earthquake response.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific island nation near the capital of Port Vila on Dec. 17, killing 14 people and injuring hundreds more.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 116,000 people were directly affected by the earthquake. Enditem

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