Volcano eruption

Relief supplies for Ulawun eruption victims

Acting Indian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ravindra Nath announced the imminent arrival of the relief flight, scheduled for December 22nd. The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has demonstrated unwavering support and commitment by allocating a substantial US$ 1 million relief package to aid the affected communities.

Air Niugini suspends flights to Hoskins

A Stop Press notice was issued by Niusky Pacific on Tuesday, closing the airport to all operations until further notice.

Air Niugini is monitoring the situation carefully and will issue further updates as the situation develops and more information becomes available.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, however, the situation is beyond the airline’s control. Passengers holding tickets for flights to or from Hoskins may rebook their travel for later dates, with penalties waived.”

13,000 displaced as relief efforts underway

Reports from the Provincial Disaster Committee indicate a critical need for water and food supplies among those affected. Acknowledging this urgency, Governor Sasindran Muthuvel has directed the dispatch of relief supplies starting today, in collaboration with New Britain Palm Oil Limited and Hargy Oil Palms Limited.

Residents on alert as volcano erupts

Acting CEO for Nakanai DDA, Jefferey Osa told Loop PNG that the situation at the moment is normal with people staying on alert and awaiting further instructions from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory.

Nakanai District Development Authority is on standby to assist the nearby villages of Ulamona if the volcano erupts again.

He said the DDA met with other stakeholders as well as the Provincial Disaster Team instructions have been given to set a forward base at the Nakanai District headquarters in Bialla.

IOM scales up relief efforts

The relief effort is conducted with the National Disaster Centre and Bougainville Office for Disaster and Climate Change. 

Financially supported by the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), IOM deployed the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) site assessment tool to assist with the response planning arranged by the Government and humanitarian partners.

Minister Tsiamalili visits Torokina

MP Tsiamalili Jnr flew in from Rabaul, and then headed to Torokina to assess the situation and offer aid to those affected.

The eruption had a devastating impact on villages along the South and East coast, with Wakunai on the West side also being affected. Tsiamalili Junior, representing the National Government on behalf of Prime Minister James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister Hon John Rosso, as well as South and Central MPs, Timothy Masiu and Simon Domarinu, came to provide comfort and leadership to the people of Torokina.

Digicel working to restore its international connectivity affected by volcanic eruption in Hunga Ha'apai Island in Tonga

A tsunami has hit Tonga’s largest island Tongatapu, as a result, Digicel customers in the Kingdom of Tonga have experienced disruption in their mobile service. Digicel’s domestic mobile towers are in operation across Tongatapu.

Manam Volcano Erupts Again

Speaking from the island, Coordinator for the newly formed Manam Community Disaster Preparedness, James Sukua said volcanic activity started during the night on Tuesday 19th of October and continued to the next morning.

He said at around 7am on Wednesday 20 October, there was a big rumble and by 8:45am heavy volcanic smoke had risen above the crater about 400 metres high and then it all started to fall.

About eight of the 15 villages on the island were covered in volcanic clouds as could be seen from the mainland.

Extra 1.2 million square cm of skin needed for Whakaari / White Island victims

At a press conference a short time ago, Counties Manukau DHB chief medical officer Dr Peter Watson outlined the need for dressings and temporary skin grafts.

An additional order has been placed with American skin banks to cope with the demands on New Zealand's burn units.

Twenty-two patients remained on airway support, Dr Watson said.

"We anticipate we will require an additional 1.2 million square centimetres of skin for the ongoing needs of the patient."

That equates to 120 square metres of skin.

People living on coconuts after Solomons eruption

The Tinakula volcano in the country's easternmost Temotu Province began erupting on Saturday spewing ash over the Reef Islands in the Santa Cruz group.

A volunteer disaster worker in the provincial capital Lata, Jones Harara, said the volcano continued to spew ash and lava.

Mr Harara said people in Lata could hear the eruptions 20 kilometres away.

He said those directly affected by the ashfall were in urgent need of relief support.