Residents of Manam Island are in immediate need of food rations and other necessities after their housing and food and water sources were destroyed by heavy ashfall and scoria from the eruption on Tuesday night.

Yabu LLG President, Kenny Boli, said effects of the eruption were felt by Yassa, Zogari, Waia, Madauri and Dugulava villages.

Garden crops destroyed by ash
He said most of the islanders planted their food gardens closer to the crater of the volcano. Those gardens have now been destroyed by the eruption, leaving the islanders without food and clean drinking water.

The eruption once again highlights the existing plight of the islanders living in Care Centers on the mainland since being evacuated after two eruptions of the Manam Volcano in 2004 and 2005.

Those who moved to the Care Centers have been vocal about the daily struggles of living there. Land and resources are now scarce due to an increase in their population.

Boli is appealing to the Provincial Government through the disaster office, NGOs and stakeholders to assist the affected islanders.

Hundreds of Port Moresby residents have participated in a walk to launch the International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated on the 8th of March.

Hosted by Active City Development Program, under the National Capital District Commission, it is a call to accelerate equal participation of women in all aspects of life.

Continuous support towards this annual women employment program came from Spotlight Initiative, UNFP, UN Women and JICA.

With a number of events planned for this week the theme for IWD 2022 is *Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow

Yesterday’s walk started at Sir Hubert Murray station and ended at South Side at Koki