Starving Manam Islanders living in care centres on mainland Madang received much needed food supplies today.
Madang Provincial acting director for disaster Rudolph Mongallee said "1011 bales of rice, floor and cooking oil starting today will be delivered to Mangem Care Centre
"Tomorrow to Asuramba Care Centre and Potsdam Care Centre on Wednesday."
The three care centres are located in the Bogia Distirct.
The much needed relief food supplies cost K300,000 and was bought from Madang Governor's PSIP funds, Mongallee said.
But the food stock will not last long.
Mongallee said "it will last roughly two weeks depending on number of heads in a household."
There are 2134 families living in the three care centres.
Herman Tibong, a community representative said the situation is made desperate because of the long drought.
He said there is no more food gardens.
Banana and Cassava which can withstand long dry spells have all died out.