Vanuatu Ambae Island

The island was evacuated when a volcano erupted in September, and communities are now returning to food and water shortages.

But the foundation's Nerida Williams, who has just been on Ambae with a team of doctors, said the need for sexual and reproductive health was also a concern.

She said rates of STIs and HIV often spiked in times of emergency, and pregnant women and infants were put through traumatic encounters, which can have a detrimental effect.

New Zealand High commission in Vanuatu reports that New Zealand is working with the Adventist Development Relief Agency and the NDMO to deliver the items to the island.

Earlier this week, a New Zealand Defence Force P-3K2 Orion aircraft conducted an aerial survey of Monaro Voui Volcano on Ambae, as well as the volcanoes on Ambrym and Lopevi.

The high resolution surveillance imagery taken by the aircraft has been provided to Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office and the Vanuatu Geohazards Department to assist with their assessments of the volcanic activity.