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.
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