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'Health issues have come due to this uncertainty' - Vanuatu locals in limbo over evacuation from island threatened by volcano

May 6, 2018

Eleven thousand residents could be shifted from Ambae where the mountain has been spewing thick ash and smoke.

Some Vanuatu locals are frustrated at being left in limbo while the government decides whether to permanently evacuate an island threatened by an active volcano.

Mt Lombenben has been spewing thick ash and smoke since March, causing roofs to collapse and tree limbs to fall.

Last year, 11,000 residents were forced to temporarily evacuate from Ambae after a major eruption.

Jesse Benjamin, who works for the Natural Disaster Ministry, says the incident caused flash flooding which "washed away a whole village".

While ash is no longer visible, volcanologists say activity inside the cone is 30-times more intense.

A full - and likely permanent - evacuation is currently being planned.

Raynon Vuke left Ambae in January for health reasons, but his wife and parents have remained.

"A lot of sadness and we've grown up on this island. All the schools that we have, all the kids that are in school, and having to get ready to be evacuated out, not knowing where they are going. It's really very sad for all of us people from Ambae," Mr Vuke said.

One local, Bennington Kenneth, says children are falling ill due to the ash and smoke.

"Masks here, the children are getting diahorrea and vomiting. No food, no water, no relief," Ms Kenneth said.

The message does get skewed and a lot of health issues have come due to this uncertainty

—  Henry Vira of Port Vila Ambae Disaster Relief |

Kiwi aid was delivered to a nearby island this week.

New Zealand has contributed $2.5 million in assistance, and the HMNZS Canterbury is ready to assist.

"We need to provide them with food, water and shelter. And you know, not only on the short-term, but the long-term. If they are to relocate to another island, it would need new schools, new health centres, new public facilities to help them, you know, get back their normal lives," Mr Benjamin said.

Jonathan Schwass, the New Zealand High Commissioner, says the government is "looking at providing support around the relocation from Ambae".

"We don't exactly know when that will be yet, but we are standing by to assist," Mr Schwass said.

Henry Vira, who works for the Port Vila Ambae Disaster Relief, says the message for Ambae residents and their future on the island can become lost.

"From the national level right down to the provinces, then we go down to the island level to communities. The message does get skewed and a lot of health issues have come due to this uncertainty," Mr Vira said.

Among the problems facing government officials in Port Vila, some people, including chiefs, don't want to leave Ambae.

Older generations don't want to abandon their ancestors who are buried there, with some saying the situation needs to get worse - and more poisonous - before they'll leave.

Meetings to confirm relocation plans continue this week.


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