16 Nov 2018

Ambaens could face shortages on return to island, resident says

From , 4:03 pm on 16 November 2018

An Ambae evacuee says residents are preparing to face potential food and water shortages, desroyed crops and a lack of infrastructure on their return to the Vanuatu island.

James Bari, who is a Penama Province councillor, has been living on Santo since the government ordered an evacuation of the approximately 10,000 people living on Ambae due to volcanic activity three months ago.

Those displaced want to return to their homes when the government's state of emergency is lifted at the end of the month, but continued volcanic activity means this may not be possible.

Mr Bari spoke to Mary Baines about how evacuated Ambaens are coping.

People being evacuated from Ambae.

People being evacuated from Ambae. Photo: Nixon Garae Tambeana