Scientists monitoring Mount Monaro volcano, which has emitted ash and gas for more than a week on the Vanuatu island of Ambae, say there's been a drop in activity over the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile the director of the Disaster Management Centre, Job Esau, says more than 2,000 people are living in emergency shelters although hundreds are refusing to leave their settlements near the volcano.
Scientists say there is less seismic activity and gas emissions have dropped by 25-percent, but the level of alert remains the same, because more ash could fall as the eruption continues.
Since the volcanic activity began last week, ash has been falling on Ambae at a rate of 2,000 tonnes a day and that's expected to worsen.
Mr Esau says the Red Cross are standing by with 2,000 masks.
"It's a protective mask... if the ashfall keeps on affecting the islands. They're thinking of providing the protective mask for the children and of course for the elderly people."
Job Esau says the most pressing challenge right now is finding enough water for the evacuees.
