Residents of Ambae Island who were evacuated after a volcano erupted about three weeks ago have begun returning home.
Authorities have arranged ships to repatriate the residents.
According to veteran Vanuatu journalist Moses Stevens, Government officers, National Disaster Management Office, police and representatives of other organisations involved were deployed to Ambae on Saturday before the repatriation process started yesterday.
The officials were sent ahead to ensure a controlled and well-coordinated return of the people of Ambae.
The MV Aganda transported more than 200 people back to Ambae.
Another vessel LC Blessing took home residents from evacuation centres in Luganville who were displaced from West Ambae.
According to the NDMO, the residents onboard were happily singing about "helping each other" while farewelling the island of Santo and returning to their home.
Photo by NDMO. Evacuees boarding the vessel LC Blessing to return home to Ambae Island