Disaster

The crew, along with a number of tourists, were drawn to Etna in Sicily to observe the spectacle of the active volcano erupting but were caught by surprise when flowing magma hit thick snow, causing an explosion that caused rock and other material to rain down upon them.

Volcanic rocks and steam from the eruption injured at least 10 people, witnesses and media reported, and the network's science reporter who was on assignment on Etna, Rebecca Morelle, described the experience in a series of tweets.

Sister Mary McCarthy of the Catholic Education said media reports had shown just how much of an impact the drought has had with men, women and children starving, getting sick and dying.

She said requesting the help of Australia through the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is one way relief supplies can get to the hard-hit communities within a short time.

“It has the capacity including helicopters to reach almost any community in PNG and its mission is to respond immediately when disaster strikes.

Provincial Disaster Coordinator Franklyn Lacey says the bales of rice, tents and cans of water were distributed however were not enough.

He says the landslide destroyed 15 houses and food gardens in villages across Panguna and Torokina.

Lacey says the current drought has compounded  the situation with people experiencing a shortage in water and food.

He says he hopes to send in supplies by the end of this week

A quick check by New Dawn FM to Guava village saw that the eleven houses will need a total of 200 sheets of corrugated roofing iron as soon as possible.

Although some of the houses had their roofs fixed they still need new roofing as they have many holes in them and are no longer strong to withstand similar strong winds in the future.

According to the people there, the roofing had been repeatedly damaged in the past and could fly off anytime.

Some roofs were removed previously from screw on and are also full of holes.