Evacuees

Thousands of former Ambae residents remain in temporary settlements on nearby Santo, in often flimsy and leaky tents.

Kevin Kapalu from World Vision Vanuatu says thousands of people remaining on Santo are already suffering because of heavy rainfall.

But he said if there is not enough warning, a cyclone could be devastating for the evacuees.

"It will be another challenge if there's another cyclone within this cyclone period, then that will add another disaster on top, so they will become more vulnerable."

Hundreds of people from four villages in South East Ambrym have been relocated to safe zones on Ambrym after eruptions of the island's twin volcanoes destroyed homes.

Vanuatu's Geohazards Department said the island's two volcanoes Mount Marum and Mount Benbow were at alert level 3 indicating a minor eruption state.

Malampa's Provincial Secretary General, Neil Netaf, said his team was working with chiefs and landowners on neighbouring Malekula to identify safe zones to become evacuation centres.

The Daily Post newspaper said the beds were provided by a charitable organisation called 'Field Ready' and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Many of the evacuees who received the assistance are living with disabilities and had been moved from Lolowai hospital on Ambae to Santo.

The MPs, Jay Ngwele and Alickson Vira, accused Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of turning a blind eye to allegations that the Council of Ministers had ordered the National Disaster Management Office not to release emergency food supplies to victims of the Manaro eruption on Santo.

However, the two MPs later called the Daily Post newspaper to say they wanted to thank the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers for hearing their concerns and agreeing to send the supplies to the displaced Ambaeans on Santo.

The director general of the climate change ministry, which is responsible for disaster management, says all the island's 10,000 residents are now on Maewo or Santo.

The order to abandon the island came from the government a month ago, after the eruption from the island's volcano re-intensified, blanketing the island in ash and toxic fumes.

Jesse Benjamin said the government had evacuated more than 3000 people to Santo, and 2,600 people are now on Maewo.

Mr Benjamin said the rest of the people evacuated themselves.

The government has ordered the mandatory evacuation of Ambae, where crops have been smothered and water supplies contaminated.

The government has reached an agreement with the nearby island of Maewo, where chiefs have agreed to accept the Ambaeans and set aside land.

But many Ambaeans want to go to Santo, the country's biggest island

The prime minister has said Ambaeans who wish to move to Santo or another island can do so but at their own cost.

Ambae's volcano has been erupting since September, but activity increased in April with ash and acid rain ruining crops and contaminating water supplies.

The Daily Post newspaper reports the National Disaster Management Office as saying disaster assistance will wind up for the island at the end of July.

Those who relocate to Maewo will receive government assistance until the end of the year, to help them establish new gardens and crops.

Ambae's Manaro Voui crater is at alert level three of five, posing a threat to the health of the island's inhabitants, who are being encouraged by the government to evacuate.

The crater on Mount Lombenben began erupting in September last year, prompting a short term evacuation.

It intensified last month, forcing the government to announce a state of emergency.

The Vanuatu Daily Post reported Ambae's paramount chief, John Tarilama, requested the land from Santo's council during a recent traditional ceremony organised by the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs.

Some of the evacuees who fled the Manaro volcano are now being sheltered on the two islands, while the vast majority are on the big island, Santo.

UNICEF's country representative, Andrew Parker, said supplies are still being distributed to the islands and the evacuees are doing alright.

"Students that are relocating from Ambae into Maewo are certainly being supported with personal hygiene kits, and blankets, mosquito nets, and lights and so on," he said.