Vanuatu

The orders addressed the control of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and polystyrene takeaway boxes, littering and the licensing of private waste operators.

From July 1, it would be an offence to manufacture, sell or give away single-use plastic bags, plastic drinking straws and polystyrene boxes.

The only exception would be the use of plastic to wrap and carry fish or meat.

On February 1 this year, new laws on littering took effect, with fines of US$45 for a first offence or US$90 for subsequent dumping of rubbish in public.

The minister who comes from Malekula said students in four communities in North Malekula couldn't return to class because their classrooms had been damaged.

He said other schools couldn't be reached due to fallen trees blocking the roads.

According to the Daily Post, the minister predicts more difficult times ahead for the people saying the cyclone has also destroyed their coconut, cocoa and kava plantations.

The Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has cancelled his visit to Malekula to inspect the damage because of a land dispute.

The VANGO team was led by its President Lai Sakita, accompanied by Vice Treasurer Anne Pakoa and Secretary Harold Obed. They were amongst activists contributing to concerns that some vital elements of livelihood such as climate change and value of tradition were ignored in the UN analysis of rating to qualify LDC’s for graduation.

The volcano had forced the compulsory evacuation of the island's 11,000 people last December.

Speaking from his village in West Ambae, Chief Zacchaeus said all the crops they have planted on their return after the evacuation have been ruined and the environment looks as if a cyclone has passed through.

He said all drinking water in wells and tanks is covered, and roof tops are covered in ash and pebbles.

He also said the biggest problem is food for their goats and cattle as the grass is covered in ash.

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.

An agreement for the project has been signed in Noumea by New Caledonia's president Philippe Germain and the visiting Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.

According to New Caledonia's public broadcaster, the French Development Agency will fund 60 percent of the construction costs and New Caledonia's government will contribute a further 24 percent.

The signing in Noumea has cleared the release of just over $US1.4 million for the project, which is expected to be completed for opening in 2020.

The entire island was evacuated late last year when the volcano at the island's centre erupted, blanketing the island in ash, suffocating crops and contaminating water.

The population returned when the eruption settled down after a month, but on Sunday night, the volcano's alert level was raised from level 2 to 3 -- what's called a "state of minor eruption."

An officer for the National Disaster Management Office on Ambae, Manson Taridenga, said so far three communities have been relocated and help is being sought from the government.

The entire island was evacuated late last year when the volcano at the island's centre erupted, blanketing the island in ash, suffocating crops and contaminating water.

The population returned when the eruption settled down after a month, but last night, the volcano's alert level was raised from level 2 to 3 - what's called a "state of minor eruption".

An officer for the National Disaster Management Office on Ambae, Manson Taridenga, said the islanders were already struggling after returning, then cyclone Hola struck earlier this month, and now this.

Jenny Ligo made the call in the Daily Post newspaper after the Electoral Office confirmed that the majority of the 31,000 registered voters did not cast their votes.

She wants the government to amend the Electoral Act to make voting compulsory.

Mrs Ligo said voters had to appreciate that the government declared the day a public holiday for every voter to go to vote.

According to the newspaper, the poor turnout has been attributed to registration of voters and also because voting is not compulsory in Vanuatu.

In other countries, it is compulsory.

Yesterday, the pair visited those affected in their respective constituencies on the island of Pentecost.

Mr Salwai and Mr Lini met and spoke with communities at several locations including students and teachers at Ranwadi High School which was severely affected by Hola and at Batnapni.

Mr Salwai urged communities to continue to make use of what is left of their food gardens while disaster authorities assess the full extent of the damage.