Emergency supplies

The government sent emergency supplies to the island this week, including 900 bags of rice and 2000 cartons of water.

The teacher, who has just returned to Port Villa after visiting his family on Aniwa, said there had been no rain for six months.

John Webster said hungry animals ransacked the few crops his family managed to grow.

Australia is providing $300,000 to support the evacuation of Ambae Island, with a particular focus on the needs of women, children and people with disabilities.

A statement said Australia will provide emergency supplies including shelter tool kits, hygiene kits and tents to assist people who need to move to temporary relocation sites.

“We will also provide essential reproductive health care, including birthing kits and emergency obstetric and newborn care.” 

The eruptions have intensified over the past week with officials raising the alert level on Sunday.

Local NDMO reports said the renewed volcanic activity was leaving a heavier ash fall than the eruption last year.

It said three communities had been relocated and the central government has been asked for help.

The office's operations manager Peter Korisa said the main request has been for food and water, with ashfall affecting the local supply.