COM Endorses Response Coordination For Ambae
The Government of Vanuatu, through the Council of Ministers (COM), on the recommendation of the National Disaster Committee (NDC) has endorsed for PENAMA Province to lead the response coordination on Ambae, through the Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Committee (PDCCC) following Ambae’s volcanic activity, which remains at Level 3.
The Council of Ministers, following a submission by Acting Minister of Climate Change, Hon. Andrew Napuat, also approved for the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and National Agency representatives to be deployed to Ambae to support the PENAMA Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Committee (PDCCC), supported by the PENAMA NDMO Office, with support from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
The support will be in the form of monitoring the volcano activity, including the coordination of the “Likely Case” scenario impact assessment, contingency and impact response plans.
The “Likely Case” scenario is part of the disaster response framework that triggers response coordination at the Provincial Government level.
The deployed team has 10 days from deployment date to complete the plans and submit to the Council of Ministers for further approval.
COM has also endorsed 20 million vatu to NDMO as budget support for the PENAMA Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Committee to go towards coordination, assessment, contingency and response plans.
This amount is taken from the standing appropriation for a Financial Emergency under the Public Finance and Economic Management Act (CAP244 section 34C).
Based on recommendations from the NDC, the Council of Ministers instructed for the worst affected areas of the recent Ambae volcano activity from August 25 to be declared as “Disaster Area”.
Government agencies, humanitarian partners, stakeholders and other service providers in PENAMA Province are directed to make resources available to support the approved response activities.
The minor eruption activity (Level 3) of Ambae’s volcano is closely being monitored by the Vanuatu Geological Hazards Department (VGHD).
Contact:
Ministry of Climate Change, Meteorological and Hydrometeorological Services, Environment, Energy, Disaster Management and Geological Hazards
Tel: 22068
PMB: 9074