Vanuatu evacuees

The aid agency has registered more than 2500 families for aid distribution on the neighbouring islands of Santo, Maewo and Pentecost, from more than 11,000 people evacuated from the island.

The state of emergency on Ambae has been extended until next week and the government said no one may return until it is lifted.

Red Cross spokesperson Shirley Johnson said a staggered repatriation would start with Ambae residents who live furthest from the volcano.

She said they were eager to return.

A state of emergency remains in place for Ambae because of the volcanic threat.

More than 3000 of those who were evacuated from Ambae have been sent to the islands of Pentecost and Maewo which are more rural than the larger Espiritu Santo where the other 8000 have been sent.

Santo with its international Port and large runway has been made the operational hub for the relief effort.

But its focus has been taken up by the massive influx of people which has almost doubled the population of the provincial capital Luganville.