Senator the Hon Marise Payne
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The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
24 Aug 18
Release details
Release type
Related ministers and contacts
Senator the Hon Marise Payne
Minister for Defence
Media contact
- Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
- Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
The Hon Julie Bishop MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Release content
5 October 2017
Australia is deploying additional humanitarian supplies to provide relief to communities displaced from Vanuatu’s Ambae Island due to volcanic activity.
The evacuation of the residents of Ambae Island - approximately 11,600 people - is now complete. Around 8,000 people have been evacuated to the island of Espiritu Santo, and around 3,000 more to nearby islands of Pentecost and Maewo.
Australia is delivering much needed humanitarian supplies to meet the needs of up to 7,500 people. Tents for temporary shelter, kitchen supplies and lighting will provide relief to families and improve community safety. Australian assistance will also provide access to clean water.
The Australian Defence Force delivered the first two loads of supplies to Luganville on Tuesday and Wednesday via a C-17 transport aircraft, adding to those already provided by New Zealand. Further supplies will be delivered by the Australian Defence Force over the coming days. HMAS Choules, which arrived in Vanuatu this morning, will assist with the distribution of relief supplies between islands.