1. The Republic of Korea government has decided to offer 100,000 US dollars in humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu, a Pacific island country that sustained damage from volcanic activity on Mt. Manaro on the island of Ambae in late September.

° On September 25, in response to the volcanic activity, the government of Vanuatu declared a state of emergency and issued a mandatory evacuation order to the entire 11,000-odd residents on the Ambae island.

° Amid a lull in the volcanic activity, the state of emergency was lifted on October 20 and the displaced returned to the island. However, the residents are still suffering from drinking water shortages and damage in their agricultural produce and fish, all of which are attributable to water pollution caused by volcanic ash and acid rain.

2. The ROK’s assistance is expected to help the affected people, who have been continually facing difficulties in their recovery process in the wake of the volcanic disaster, with their efforts to restore stability in their lives and with their recovery work.

3. Going forward, the ROK government will increase humanitarian assistance to countries and peoples affected by natural disasters in a bid to help them achieve recovery and reconstruction as soon as possible.


* unofficial translation