Maewo ready to accommodate evacuees

The chiefs and people of Maewo Island say they are prepared and ready to accommodate evacuees from nearby Ambae Island in Penama Province, as the full evacuation of the people of the island gets underway for fear of an explosion of Lombenben volcano on the island.

Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, Ezikiel Boelum says that in response to the disaster from volcanic eruption, the chiefs have decided for people in villages on Maewo to help accommodate families from Ambae evacuated from the island. And they want Government to know that Maewo is ready to accommodate up to two thousand people or more.

“Chiefs from Naone to Marino villages in North Maewo met on Tuesday and said they can accommodate up to 500 pipol,” Boelum says.

Chief Albert Weris Chairman of Sungadia Ward Council of North Maewo gave this confirmation to the council of chiefs of Maewo.

The chiefs are offering authorities in Port Vila and Saratamata Gambule Junior Secondary School at Beitarara as the center from where to relocate families to villages on Maewo.

Chief Rasa Ure, the Principal of Gambule School and Chairman of Sungadaga Ward Council says villages in the ward council can accommodate over one thousand people.

Boelum, a former President of Penama Provincial Council, says he spoke with Chief Headley Toa and Chief Martine Boe of Sungaloge Ward Council with villages closest to Ambae, and they also are ready to accommodate families from Ambae.

“Schools needing students in Years 8, 10, 12, and 13 to set exams, can come with their teachers,” he added. Boelum who is also Vice Chairman of the Gambula School Board, said the Gambule Board met Wednesday and agreed to take in students from Ambae schools.

“We are taking this stand in the spirit of cooperation that was with our ancestors of the three islands of Penama Province in the past and we are just reviving this spirit,” says

Over 50 people, members of several families, are already on Maewo mainly in Sunagaloge area, with this number expected to increase in the coming days as people seek safety from the disasters posed by the Lombenben volcano, still in category four.