A platoon of Royal Tonga Marines from His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) has joined the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) to evacuate around 11,000 residents from the active volcanic Ambae Island in Vanuatu on 30 September.

The Marines were scheduled to take part in a New Zealand-led regional exercise Southern Katipo 2017 as part of the ADF contingent on the HMAS CHOULES when they were re-assigned to provide humanitarian assistance at the request of the Government of Vanuatu.

As part of the Vanuatu Assist 2017 operation, the HMAS Choules is carrying specialists and supplies to assist with the evacuation as well as a land craft.

The ADF and the Royal Tongan Marines will help to distribute food and water to the evacuated population.

 HMAF stated it is not confirmed how long the platoon will be in Vanuatu.

Volcano

According to the Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department website [2], a report issued on 6 October said that the Manaro Voui volcanic activity remains steady and is confined to Lake Voui on Ambae Island. They have downgraded the Volcanic Alert level from 4 to 3.

The volcanic activity includes small explosions and ejection of hot rocks from vents on the new small island in the lake. The department says there is currently no evidence of escalation of the activity but monitoring is continuing.

There are six active volcanoes in Vanuatu where four are listed at alert levels 1 and 2 and the volcano on Ambrym Island listed at alert level 3 and is in an ongoing minor eruption state.