Date:         Tue, 21 Mar 1995 08:29:08 MST
From: INCIDENT%CMSNAMES.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu
Subject:      Vanuatu: Volcano Alert  IFRC-02

         INFORMATION BULLETIN  No. 02                     14 March, 1995

                             VANUATU - VOLCANO ALERT

         The situation on the Pacific island of Ambae in Vanuatu,  where
         a volcano shows signs of  erupting, remains threatening, the
         national Red Cross reported today.

         The volcano,  which last  erupted in  1914,   has been  showing
         signs of activity, including a  large steam burst and  cascades
         of steam and  ash, since  the beginning  of this  month. It  is
         situated  in the south of Ambae,  one of  more than 80  islands
         that comprise Vanuatu.

         The Chief Executive  of the  Vanuatu Red  Cross, Andrew  Mckie,
         told the Secretariat the Society  has  sent two field  officers
         to the area  under threat,  which has a  population of  between
         2,000  and   3,000.   They  have   been   conducting   disaster
         preparedness  briefings  in  villages,  identifying  vulnerable
         groups and briefing local RC branch members.

         The  two  officials  told  their  national  headquarters   that
         communities close to the volcano, where steam and ash eruptions
         are clearly visible,  were very concerned  by the danger.  They
         have welcomed the briefings  "and now have  a much better  idea
         how to react."   Some voluntary  evacuations have taken  place,
         they report, but the villages  that have taken in the  evacuees
         "have not  been  overwhelmed  and are  coping  with  their  own
         resources."

         The National Society's disaster preparedness measures are being
         taken in co-ordination with Vanuatu's National Disaster Office.

         The Federation Secretariat has made a provisional allocation of
         CHF 50,000 from  the Disaster  Relief Emergency  Fund, in  case
         emergency assistance is  required.   The Federation's  Regional
         Delegation for the Pacific, based in Sydney, is monitoring  the
         situation through regular contacts with the Vanuatu RC. Further
         information will be shared with National Societies as and  when
         it becomes available.
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