Australia’s humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu

For the third time since September 2017, the Manaro Voui volcano on Vanuatu’s Ambae Island has produced thick ash fall and gas emissions. The latest cycle of eruptions has blanketed the island with ash, including in areas not previously impacted. Many parts of the island are uninhabitable due to the impact on housing, crops and water sources. The Government of Vanuatu declared a state of emergency on 12 April 2018.

On 26 July 2018, the Government of Vanuatu ordered the immediate evacuation of the entire population of Ambae (approximately 10,000) to the neighboring island of Maewo. Evacuations commenced on 3 August 2018. This followed a previous episode in September and October 2017, when the entire population of Ambae was evacuated to nearby islands. Most of the population returned to Ambae when initial eruptions subsided.

Australia is working with the Government of Vanuatu and FRANZ partners (New Zealand and France) to coordinate assistance to the Government of Vanuatu-led response.

On 31 July 2018 Australia announced the third package of assistance to Vanuatu to support the second evacuation of Ambae, with a further $2 million for the evacuated population and host communities, including:

• Support to the Government of Vanuatu for logistics, provision of health and education services and emerging infrastructure needs.
• Funding through local and Australian NGOs with a focus on protection, psychosocial support, livelihoods, shelter, WASH and early recovery.
• Support to the Vanuatu Police Force to bolster their capacity to maintain stability on Maewo.

This new assistance brings total Australian assistance to those affected by volcanic activity on Ambae to $5.55 million.

Original source: DFAT
Published on 8 August 2018