Anglican Missions has renewed its call for support to the Anglican Church of Melanesia for communities on Ambae Island in Vanuatu as they recover from the series of volcanic eruptions in 2017 and 2018.

Anglican Missions is backing a new project that will help Ambae people rebuild their homes and livelihoods in the face of ongoing problems with polluted water supplies, damage to houses and infrastructure, ruined gardens and in some cases contaminated soil due to the ongoing effects of volcanic eruptions.

Back in 2018, when the volcanic eruptions forced the entire population of Ambae (13,000 people) to evacuate to neighbouring islands, Anglican Missions launched an appeal to help the Anglican Church of Melanesia assist people fleeing the natural disaster.

Now in November 2019 the tropical cyclone season has begun for 2019-2020 and it is predicted to bring between nine and twelve cyclones to Ambae Island over the next few months.

The 2019-2020 Ambae Appeal will provide funds to enable the Anglican Church of Melanesia to help communities who have returned to the island to repair shelter and re-establish their livelihoods by building up cash crops and livestock.

Donations to the 2019-2020 Ambae Appeal will enable the Anglican Church of Melanesia to fund:

• Training and support in adaptive agricultural practices
• Purchase of crops and garden tools for local communities
• Establishment and training of Community Disaster and Climate Change Committees linked with the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office. Training will include: Community Hazard Mapping, assessing which buildings are fit for purpose as evacuation centres (often church buildings) and addressing gender-based violence.

“The Ambae project responds to a clear need and has long-term sustainable benefits that will directly benefit 540 households who have returned to Ambae.” said Anglican Missions CEO, Canon Robert Kereopa.

To donate to the Ambae Appeal please go to the Anglican Missions donate page and select: 
Other > Ambae: Recovery and Resilience Project