09/04/2026
Ambae Island Volcanic Ashfall Response
Six days.
16 communities reached.
Over 3,400 people supported.
Since January 2026, continuous ashfall from its volcano has contaminated water sources across Ambae Island in Vanuatu, leaving communities without safe drinking water. HELPR 1 responded by producing and delivering over 52,400 litres of clean water direct to households, clinics and schools, refilling tanks, jerry cans, and containers so families could continue daily life.
“Water is very essential to our community… you have saved our lives,” said James Toa, village leader.
HELPR-1 also served as a mobile coordination hub, hosting the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre onboard to plan and deliver a broader, integrated response.
Alongside water delivery, teams:
✅ Assessed water sources with the provincial water department.
✅ Delivered 3,705 kg of food supplies.
✅ Distributed 921 kg of non-food items, including hygiene kits, jerry cans, and small solar components.
✅ Installed 2 x 3,000 litre water tanks.
✅ Deployed 2 medical appliance kits including patient monitors and autoclaves to major health facilities that we had recently installed off grid solar systems at.
With the capacity to produce up to 15,000 litres of water per day, HELPR-1 combines service delivery with coordination, reaching communities that are otherwise difficult to access and sustaining essential services during prolonged emergencies.
