7 Jun 2018

Former disaster official reappointed in Vanuatu

8:51 pm on 7 June 2018

The former Director of Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, or NDMO, has been reappointed to the post.

Vanuatu politician Ham Lini.

Ham Lini Photo: RNZI

The Daily Post reported the Minister of Climate Change, Ham Lini, requested Shedrack Welegtabit return to his former position on a temporary basis.

Mr Lini said NDMO staff will be able to capitalise on Mr Welegtabit extensive expertise to better coordinate the distribution of relief assistance for the relocation of the people of Ambae to Maewo island.

The government has allocated 200 hectares of land on Maewo which can support up to 400 families moving away from Ambae's erupting volcano.

Mr Welegtabit was transferred to the Government Renumeration Tribunal after five NDMO staff were implicated in alleged theft of disaster relief supplies provided by donor partners and international organisations to help victims of Cyclone Pam in 2015.

The Daily Post said Mr Welebtabit's return to the NDMO was an indication that the Government recognised his wealth of experience in disaster relief operations.