OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Vanuatu - Lopevi Volcano
20 June 2001


The Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)  provided the
following information, based on the report of the recent assessment
mission to Paama and Lopevi, through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response
Adviser for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji.


Situation and Impact

1.  According to the NDMO, Lopevi Volcano caused further ash-fall on Paama
Island on the night of 19 June, but overall the eruption seems to have
abated since 8 June.  However, geologists on the assessment team report
that the volcano is likely to remain active for an unspecified period, and
that emissions of ash and steam should be expected at any time.

2.  Although the islands of Ambrym and Malekula did experience some
ash-fall, the worst effects were confined to the small (30 km2) island of
Paama, home to 1,734 people living in 25 small villages.  Fifteen of these
villages, with 1,015 inhabitants, are assessed as being most affected by
the ash-fall.  Of this population, 105 students and 5 teachers from Vaum
Junior Secondary School have been evacuated to schools on other islands,
as a precautionary measure.  There are no reports of any direct casualties
or other evacuations.

3.  Whilst the eruption has not caused major damage to local housing,
there are concerns about the contamination of water sources, as well as
health problems caused by exposure to sulphurous air and the fine volcanic
dust.  Children and the elderly in particular are experiencing respiratory
difficulties, eye problems, stomach pains and diarrhoea. Longer-term
problems are associated with the effects of the acidic ash on vegetation.  
Up to 18 cm of ash has covered fruit, vegetable and root crop gardens in
central and eastern Paama, and food production is expected to fall in the
coming months.  Other potential problems include the increased possibility
of mud-flows and floods in the event of heavy rainfall, and the practical
and psychological difficulties of living with a persistent volcanic
threat.


The Assessment Mission

4. An assessment of the impact of the eruption and the continuing threat
it poses, was conducted from 11 to 13 June.  The team comprised personnel
from the Vanuatu Mobile Force (Police), the Red Cross Society, and
Departments of Education, Health, and Geology, and a representative from
the Australian High Commission in Port Vila.  Infrastructure on Paama is
limited and the team conducted its assessment on foot, as the few vehicle
tracks had been damaged by Tropical Cyclones PAULA and SOSE in March and
April 2001, and the seas were too rough to use small boats. Communications
were also restricted.  Only 3 of the 21 telephone lines on the island are
in service, and the team had to rely on the radio at Liro Health Post.  
The lack of infrastructure would be a serious handicap if it should prove
necessary to evacuate the whole population of the island.

5.  The assessment team has concluded that the situation on Paama is under
control at present.  Villages are coping with the difficulties, and
community leaders have convened meetings to inform and advise people on
the safety measures they should take.  The island disaster committee is
implementing a simple community action plan to return the island to
normality, as soon as possible.  Sources of potable water have been
identified, although there is a shortage of water for cooking and washing.  
Ash is being cleaned from roofs and water tanks, and the clearing of
gardens has also commenced.  It is estimated that the current stocks of
food will last for 4 weeks.


National and International Response

6.  The island disaster committee and Malampa Provincial authorities have
identified measures to assist the longer-term recovery of the affected
communities.  These measures include installing volcanic monitoring
equipment, drilling bore-hole wells and installing pumps at 17 sites,
providing 21 water tanks (1,000 litres each), upgrading water supply
systems and monitoring water quality, monitoring food production,
providing seeds and planting materials, and improving access roads and
communications.

7.  At national level, following the mission the Health Department will
continue to sample water sources on Paama for their acidity and other
volcanic contaminants, and will monitor the health status of the affected
population.  The Department of Agriculture will assess the food
availability on Paama over the coming months, and take steps to alleviate
any shortages.  Meanwhile the Department of Geology will continue to
monitor Lopevi in order to provide early warning should the risk of a
major eruption increase.

8.  The National Disaster Council (NDC) has met to consider the report of
the assessment team, and will shortly decide what action to take. Measures
under consideration include the provision of supplementary food (rice),
planting materials, and additional medical supplies, and support to the
volcanic monitoring, water supply and road improvements identified by
provincial authorities.  At present the Government of Vanuatu has not
declared a state of emergency, nor requested international assistance for
its response.

9.  Thus far, international assistance has been limited to the provision
of Australian naval assets to conduct an aerial survey, deploy the
assessment team, and deliver and fill Red Cross water containers.  The Red
Cross has also supplied 61 blankets and 120 kg of soap.

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

11.  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. F. Gentiloni / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka / Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3512 / 3131 / 4034 / 1769

Press contact:
  Ms. M. Moulin-Acedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
   (NY)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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