Vanuatu Beverage helps volcanic-affected communities with water

March 11, 2026 10:32 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Nicholas Mwai.

Vanuatu Beverage Limited has stepped forward to support communities affected by volcanic ash on Ambae Island by donating 1,800 litres of clean drinking water to assist families facing water shortages.

The donation, handed over to the Ministry of Health (MOH), consisted of 100 cartons of 1.5-litre bottled Vanuatu Water, with each carton containing 12 bottles. The supply is valued at about VT120,000 at wholesale price.

Managing Director and owner of Vanuatu Beverage Limited said the company wanted to assist communities struggling with the impacts of ash fall.

“Today we are handing over 100 cartons of Vanuatu Water of 1.5 litres, almost 2,000 litres of clean water, to go to the affected zones of Ambae Island,” said Managing Director Teiva Durand.

He said the MOH will arrange delivery of the water to communities most affected by the ash fall.

“We hope this water will help the affected families,” he said.

Durand emphasized that as a locally owned company, Vanuatu Beverage feels a responsibility to support fellow citizens during difficult times.

“Vanuatu Beverage is a local company and it is our duty to help each other,” he said.

He added that the company had also provided also provided assistance during Ambae’s volcanic crisis in 2017, when ash fall affected many residents.

“It was the same case in 2017 when Ambae was affected by ash fall. We were there to help at that time as well,” he said.

Durand noted that this donation is the first contribution from the company in the current situation, but more support could follow if conditions worsen.

“This is the first donation. If the situation on the island continues, we can still donate more,” he said.

Minister of Health and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ambae, John Still Tari Qetu, expressed appreciation for the assistance, saying the water would greatly help communities currently affected by ash fall.

“On behalf of the people of Ambae, especially those in the south who are affected by the ash fall, I would like to thank Vanuatu Beverage for this support,” the Minister said.

He said the donation highlights the importance of solidarity during times of crisis.

“This is a good example. We need more donations like this. Ambae is part of the country and part of the population, so we all need to join together and help the island,” he said.

The minister also encouraged other companies and organizations to consider assisting communities in Ambae and other islands that may be affected by natural disasters.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation on Ambae as ash fall impacts water sources and daily life for residents in some parts of the island.