OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Vanuatu - Lopevi volcanic eruption
12 June 2001


The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)  provided the
following information, through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Adviser
for the Pacific in Suva.


Situation and Impact

1.  The heavy ash-fall from Lopevi volcano, which erupted on 8 June 2001
and blanketed the islands of Paama and Southeast Ambrym in Vanuatu, has
now almost ceased.  However, the strong Southeasterly Trade Winds (10-15
knots) which spread the ash, are persisting.

2.  Lopevi is a virtually uninhabited and unvegetated circular island of
6km in diameter, dominated by its active volcano (called Vanei Vollohula),
which rises to 1367m above sea level.  Paama is a small island measuring
9km from North to South and 3.5km from East to West.  It has a population
of 1,600 living in 24 villages concentrated mainly on its eastern side.
Ambrym is a larger triangular-shaped island measuring 30km from North to
South and 40km from East to West, and is also dominated by two large
volcanic craters.  The population of 7,400 live in over 100 small villages
concentrated along the coast and mainly at the Northern, Southwest, and
Southeast corners.  The island's wharf and airstrip are located at Craig
Cove in the Southeast.

3.  National authorities estimate that 4-5,000 people are directly
affected by the ash-fall on Paama and Southeast Ambrym, with the very
young and the elderly being the most vulnerable.  The worst affected
villages are Luli, Lulep and Liro, in Paama.

4.  The main problems are the effects of the ash on vegetation and crops,
(since its acidity kills first foliage and ultimately the plant), and the
contamination of most water sources (open water sources have been tested
and now show a PH value of 3).  Schools are closed and local transport has
been curtailed, particularly to Luli and Lulep on the East Coast.  In the
longer term, there are likely to be problems with food production, as the
acidity will have an adverse effect on vegetation, and there is concern
about respiratory problems, particularly in children, caused by exposure
to the sulphurous air and fine volcanic dust.


National and International Response

5.  The potential risks to aircraft and small boats caused by the
ash-fall, have restricted the options for assessment and the delivery of
assistance.  However, an aerial assessment was carried out by helicopter
on 9 June, and on 10 June a team of 10 from the Vanuatu Mobile Force
(Police), Red Cross Society, and Departments of Education, Health, and
Geology, deployed to Paama to assess the effects of the ash-fall.  On 11
June two volcanologists landed on Lopevi to conduct on-site monitoring and
evaluate the risk of further eruption.

6.  Reports from the NDMO indicate that the population of the affected
area is calm, and that they have not evacuated from their villages,
although students at Liro Junior Secondary School on Paama may be
evacuated to schools on neighbouring islands.  Instead, villagers are
clearing their roofs to prevent damage or collapse.  National resources
are on standby to provide support as necessary, when needs have been
identified by the assessment team.  Preliminary needs identified include
provision of safe water, health checks and medical supplies to the three
worst affected villages on Paama, and possible food aid to the whole of
Paama and parts of Ambrym.

7.  The National Disaster Council (NDC) has met regularly, but so far the
Government of Vanuatu has not yet declared a state of disaster, nor made a
general request for international assistance.  If, after the assessment
team makes its report, the Government does decide to request international
assistance, this is most likely to be in the areas of technical support to
monitor the risk posed by the volcano, support to the ongoing supply of
safe water and food to affected communities, and funds to cover logistic
costs.

8.  Although not yet appealing for international assistance, the
Government of Vanuatu approached the Australian High Commission in Port
Vila.  In response, the Australian Government provided the services of
HMAS Kanimbla, which was already in Vanuatu waters.  The ship deployed the
assessment team and delivered 9,000 litres of drinking water using 450
containers from Red Cross stocks.  Its two Sea Hawk helicopters also
conducted aerial reconnaissance of Lopevi, Paama, Epi, and South Ambrym.

9.  OCHA is in contact with relevant government authorities in Vanuatu
through its Regional Disaster Response Adviser for the Pacific, and will
revert with further information when available.

10.  This situation report, together with information on other ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
  Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 31 / 40 34

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. M. Moulin-Acedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 60
   (NY)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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