Pacific / Vanuatu

Renewed call from Vanuatu chiefs on volcano island

09:02 am on 6 August 2018

Photo: Twitter/ John Metojoe, Vanuatu police force

Chiefs from the western part of Ambae are again calling on the Vanuatu government to evacuate them to Santo rather than Maewo.

The president of the West Ambae area council of chiefs, Moses Bakeo, said a meeting by the chiefs last week came up with resolutions to present to the government.

Moses Bakeo said they want the government to help their children go to school in Santo and not Maewo, taking into account that 10 months of disruption has already negatively impacted on their education.

The chiefs say going to Maewo instead would make it even worse for their children.

Mr Bakeo said the government must know moving to Maewo would affect them financially since they would not be able to make enough money to sustain family life, because of the difficulties doing business.

The chief also say shipping was cheaper to Santo compared with Maewo.

Mr Bakeo said Maewo is also not an ideal place for people with disabilities because of a lack of facilities.

Ashfall on Ambae Photo: Philippe Carillo - Fusion productions Ltd