OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Vanuatu - Volcanic Eruption
1 December 2005


This situation report is based on information provided by the Government 
of Vanuatu and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Fiji.

Situation

1. Mt. Ambae volcano erupted on 27 November in Ambae Island of Vanuatu. 
Twelve to fifteen villages with a total population of about 5,000 have 
been affected. No casualties have been reported. There are no damages to 
houses except that they are covered with ash. Although people are still 
living in their homes, ash could affect their respiratory system and 
contaminate the source of water supply. Food crops have also been 
covered with ash. They have crops to last for only one to two weeks.

2. Ambae has a crater lake. There is a risk that the volcano could 
further erupt and cause flooding in the valleys. The Government may need 
to evacuate about 5,000 people in the high-risk area. The National 
Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is working on an evacuation plan.

National Response

3. A national coordination team is monitoring the situation. The Vanuatu 
Police and the Mobile Force are informing the community of the 
situation. A senior volcanologist in Ambae is also providing the NDMO 
with information. They have approached the Government to seek 
international assistance for equipment for monitoring seismic activity.

4.  On 29 November, a national assessment team, consisting of 
representatives from the different Government sectors and NDMO went to 
Ambae Island and carried out an assessment.

International Assistance

5. A meeting was held on 1 December with representatives of the donor 
community (Australia, France, New Zealand), Red Cross movement and other 
NGOs and the Government of Vanuatu (the Prime Minister's Office and 
NDMO). Another similar meeting is scheduled on 3 December in the 
capital, Port Vila.

6. New Zealand has received an official request from the Government of 
Vanuatu for 1) deployment of a volcanologist to assist in monitoring 
volcanic activity and 2) emergency response preparedness and logistic 
support. Further information on detailed requirements is awaited.

7. OCHA is in close contact with the Government of Vanuatu, the UN 
Resident Coordinator's Office in Fiji and the Government of New Zealand 
and will revert with further information as it becomes available. This 
situation report, together with further information on ongoing 
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at 
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel.:  +41-22-917 12 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:
  Mr. Masaaki Nakagawa, direct Tel. +41-22-917 4034

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Byrs Elizabeth, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. + 1-917 367 5126

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