Vanuatu Monaro Volcano: UNICEF Pacific Humanitarian Situation Report

• 8,290 of repatriated people
• 3,310 people of displaced people
• 1,490 children of displaced children

Highlights

• The Cabinet of the Government of Vanuatu (commonly known as the Council of Ministers) has approved the repatriation of the residents of Ambae Island and has extended the State of Emergency until 27 October to allow for a phased and dignified return.
• UNICEF provided technical assistance to government ministries in the development of the repatriation plan, highlighting the needs and rights of children, women and vulnerable groups.
• The repatriation commenced on 21 October. As of 26 October, 8,290 people, approximately 71% of the island’s population, have been repatriated to Ambae.
• UNICEF is moving WASH and Education supplies to Ambae and supporting activities to ensure that families have access to safe water and children quickly resume schooling upon return to their communities.

Situation overview & humanitarian needs

Following the stabilisation of volcanic activity, a repatriation plan was laid out by National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) leading to the approval of a phased return of the residents of Ambae Island by the Cabinet of the Government of Vanuatu. The Cabinet also extended the state of emergency until 27 October to allow the mobilisation of government resources during the return and to ensure a tight and organized process. Only government supported movements to Ambae were being allowed during the State of Emergency.

“Thank you” ceremonies led by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and President Moses Obed were held in Santo, Pentecost and Maewo islands to express the national government’s gratitude to the local officials, village chiefs and the people of the three islands for hosting the Ambae residents as well as the local and international humanitarian agencies for providing emergency assistance. The ceremonies signalled the start of the process of repatriation back to Ambae. Local government officials, service providers and village chiefs were the first to return. They were tasked with securing and preparing the communities for the residents return including the pre-positioning of food and nonfood items in strategic locations. Ambae residents have received various non-food items (NFIs) including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, blankets, etc. to help ease the burden of the journey and return to their homes.

The process has been designed to ensure families are not separated during the return phase. As of 26 October, some 8,290 residents, or 71 per cent of the population of Ambae, have been repatriated. 75 per cent of those who have returned had been receiving assistance in evacuation centres in Luganville, Santo. All those who had been displaced to Pentecost, Maewo and Port Vila have now returned. Evacuees who were staying with host families in Santo will board five more ships home on the 26 October. The final evacuees to return will be composed of persons with special needs and will be transported on 27 October.

Apart from secondary school students, all children will travel back to Ambae with their parents during the repatriation period. Most of the secondary school students are in the boarding schools of Santo, with a few in boarding schools in Pentecost, Maewo and Efate. In order to complete the academic year and to avoid further disruption to their schooling, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has decided that these children should complete the school year, which comes to an end on 17 November, in the boarding school where they are currently. All other children will resume their schooling in Ambae. The school term will be extended in Ambae for two weeks in order to make up for the disruption.

Homes, public infrastructures and facilities are reported to have remained largely undamaged with ash fall causing some negligible damage in some areas. Reported damages have been primarily restricted to crops and gardens as a result of stray animals and loose livestock. Most water storage tanks are still half full and were protected from the ash fall. An assessment team concluded that the volcanic activity had had no significant effect on water and crops on the island.

The Provincial Health Manager and majority of the local health workers had already returned in the first days of the repatriation. The Nduindi Hospital in West Ambae is already operational with adequate medical supplies. Surveillance has also been established to monitor potential disease outbreaks across the island. However, there is currently no physician on Ambae and requests have been made to send a doctor.

Original source and full report: UN Children’s Fund.
Posted on 26 October 2017