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Members and Missionaries Evacuated as Volcano Erupts

On September, 26, 2017 a national state of emergency was declared on the island of Ambae in Vanuatu as the island volcano erupted with clouds of ash and dust.

     Photo Courtesy of John Metojoe/Facebook

Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were evacuated and members are evacuating with their communities.

The Church is encouraging its members to follow direction provided by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and do all they can to prepare before leaving their homes using the self-reliance principles taught by the Church.

  Photo Courtesy of John Metojoe/Facebook  

Currently 1500 households have been moved from the South and North of Ambae to the West and East. Volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the island of Santo have been called in to assist the NDMO with the evacuation of mothers and babies to that island.

Welfare missionaries based in Port-Vila and local leaders from the Latter-day Saints Church have provided a list to the NDMO of the supplies they have on hand that can help with immediate needs.

Local NGO's in Port Vila are dispatching ships carrying supplies to the evacuees.

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