Pacific / Vanuatu

Cash transfers helpful for returning Ambae evacuees say chiefs

14:42 pm on 7 December 2018

While Ambaean evacuees in Vanuatu are preparing to return to their island after evacuating several months ago Oxfam has stepped in to roll out cash transfers to them.

Ash fall on Ambae Photo: Philippe Carillo - Fusion productions Ltd

Ambaean custom chiefs in Luganville on Santo have welcomed the initiative as the best medicine for their people who have exhausted their financial resources during their time off island.

They said their people would definitely need financial support to live again on Ambae.

Many of the 10,000 people evacuated after the Manaro volcano erupted, have been pushing to return home, now the government has lifted the state of emergency.

Some have commercial businesses, including shops, which they locked up before they were evacuated.

Oxfam's Cash Transfer Programme, funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is for evacuees on Santo.

It aims to help provide people with financial assistance so they can purchase local goods from local markets to meet their needs.