Attachments
Background
On 23rd September 2017, the activity level for Monaro volcano on Ambae Island (Penama Province) in Vanuatu was raised to Level 4 , which reflected a moderate state of eruption state. Communities began to experience volcanic hazards including flying rocks and volcanic gas, as well as ash-fall and acid-rain, which caused significant damage to garden crops. From 24th September, evacuations began for people living in high risk areas on Ambae and a state of emergency was declared until 24 October 2018.
CAN DO Response
The Church Agency Network for Disaster Operations (CAN DO) received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to respond to humanitarian needs of the population. The CAN DO program is managed by two CAN DO members Anglican overseas Aid (AOA) and Adventist Development Relief Agency Australia (ADRA), and implemented by two local churches, the Adventist Development and Relief Association (ADRA) and the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM). The project works with local community and church leadership to assist in conflict prevention and protection of women and children during crisis resettlement and relocation as a result of volcanic activity on the island of Ambae in Vanuatu.
Following the resettlement of communities CAN DO held two Leadership summits reaching approximately 3,850 members of the Ambae population.
The objective of the Leadership Summits was to support community and church leaders in their role in supporting communities to plan and respond to resettlement issues – including (but not limited to) protection of women and children. The summits gathered together leadership representatives from different churches, chiefs from different communities, members of the Community Disaster Climate Change Committee, and included women and youth leaders. The summit was facilitated by ACOM Vanuatu and ADRA Vanuatu, and in partnership with World Vision Vanuatu, Penama Provincial NDMO, and the local Police. It provided an opportunity for leaders to share their experiences and concerns regarding the Ambae Volcano disaster, and to receive information from government officials to equip their support to communities during repatriation and adaptation. The outcomes of the summit have been significant as they have engaged the community to lead and design their own response and as such it is a great example of localisation in practice.