The Organising Committee for the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu have donated to the thousands of people forced to evacuate Ambae Island.
With Manaro volcano rumbling, belching ash, smoke and volcanic rocks, the island's entire population of more than 11,000 people was evacuated to the neighbouring islands of Maewo, Pentecost and Santo, while some of them travelled to Port Vila.
Van2017's Organising Committee joined communities, individuals and organisations around the country to offer its assistance to the evacuees with a donation of almost$US600.
"Our contribution of VT 62,645 to you and all the families from Ambae is to show our sympathy to the circumstances that they have to go through now. Our prayers are with you every day, we pray that this contribution becomes fruitful and brings many blessings to our families," said Tane Maki, on behalf of Van2017 Staff and Volunteers.
Collin Michael from the Ambae Disaster Relief Committee in Port Vila receives a donation from the Mini Games Organising Committee. Photo: Van2017
Collin Michael, from the Ambae Disaster Relief Committee in Port Vila, said it was a heartfelt moment to receive such a donation coming from Van2017.
"For us, it is a very big contribution, and we are thankful for your heart to make such contributions; we will use this fund towards priority needs for our families who are in evacuation centres in Santo, for example clothing and kids' toothbrushes," he said.
Mr Michael added that community efforts represent 60 per cent of contributions to assist the coordination of evacuating families and looking after them in evacuation centres, along with the support of Vanuatu Government, government partners, local and regional organisations.
