OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Vanuatu: Volcanic Eruption
13 June 2006


This situation report is based on information provided by the Regional 
Disaster Response Advisor in Fiji.

Situation

1.  Lopevi Volcano erupted on May 9.  While the island of Lopevi is 
uninhabited the nearby islands of Paama and Ambrym have had heavy ash 
fall affecting the water supplies and crops of communities in South-East 
Ambrym and Paama. The total population of Paama is 1572, comprised of 23 
villages and 511 households.

2.  On the island of Paama, the two main cash crops of vanilla and 
pepper have been damaged badly and are no longer likely to provide a 
source of income.  On both islands, staple foods such as wild yams, 
kumala, taros, bananas and coconut trees have either been damaged or 
destroyed.

3.  Communities in South East Ambrym and Paama are experiencing health 
problems caused by the consumption of contaminated food and water as 
well as the inhalation of ash.  Head pain, skin infections, diarrhea, 
vomiting and respiratory difficulties have been reported in the 
communities affected.

Needs

4.  All affected communities are in immediate need of fresh water, food 
for at least the next four months and medical attention.

5.  Longer term needs include water and sanitation experts to test the 
main water supply and water catchments and the provision of seedlings to 
reestablish staple crops.

National Response

6.  The Government has recently completed an assessment on the affected 
communities in South-East Ambrym and Paama.  The final assessment report 
includes a number of recommendations to the National Disaster Committee 
on the type of assistance required.

7.  The Government has not requested international assistance to date.

8.  The National Red Cross society has offered 300 water containers and 
a water sanitation engineer.

International Response

9.  The UN Disaster Management Team had a meeting on 9 June and decided 
to offer the support of sending an assessment team, medical staff and 
relief items to the National Disaster Management Office.

10.  OCHA is in close contact with the Government of Vanuatu, the UN 
Resident Coordinator's Office in Fiji 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 0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

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

Desk Officers:
  Ms. Masayo Kondo - direct Tel. +41-22-917 1997
  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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