Papua New Guinea: Manam Volcano Eruption - Information Bulletin n° 4

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organisation and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries.
In Brief

This information bulletin (04/2005) is being issue d based on the needs described below reflecting the information available at this time. CHF 50,000 has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), and a further CHF60,000 was allocated on 19 January. Based on further updates and details from assessment reports, or should the situation deteriorate, the Federation will consider seeking international support through an emergency appeal.

The Situation

Manam volcano, located on Manam Island, 15 kilometres off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG), began erupting with new intensity on January 28. The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) reported that a large volcano eruption took place between 1 to 2 am (local time) on January 28. The ash cloud produced by the eruption reached an altitude of more than 18 kilometres and drifted westward across West Papua, the eastern-most province of Indonesia. PNG's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) has reported that the flow of scoria and lava on the south-eastern part of the island has swept away a number of houses. One person is missing, presumed dead.¹

The Provincial Disaster Centre (PDC) of Madang arranged for an assessment team to visit Manam Island on the day of the eruption. Its report has not yet reached the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS).

Most of the 9,600 inhabitants of Manam Island had already been evacuated to the mainland as a result of ongoing volcanic activity that began in October 2004. Some 2,000 people were on the island when the latest eruption took place. Some had previously refused to be evacuated, while others had returned temporarily to tend gardens and check on property. Following the January 28 eruption, a further evacuation began, and at the time of writing was almost complete, with just 167 people still to be transferred to the mainland.

The future for people evacuated in November 2004 remains unclear. There is disagreement about whether the state holds current ownership of land in Bogia identified for possible resettlement of evacuees, or whether control of the land has reverted to traditional owners. This uncertainty has been the source of considerable frustration among evacuees. Some aid agencies have delayed their planned assistance because they are unsure of how long evacuees will remain at the care centres.

Having identified a lack of funds as a constraint upon its ability to respond to the needs of evacuees, the Madang provincia l authorities launched a public fundraising appeal in PNG. That appeal is ongoing.

Authorities have confirmed reports of heated disputes between evacuees and government officers at the Mangem care centre over alleged theft of relief supplies by district government officers.² Evacuees have also reportedly sent a petition to the local authorities outlining dissatisfaction with rations and sanitation in care centres. Security has been restored and is now maintained by the army.

A PNGRCS officer returned to Asarumba on December 24 and will remain until the evacuation is complete. Both he and the PDC have confirmed that all government officers have left the Mangem care centre, and only one community health worker remains there. PNG troops deployed to the care centres in early January 2005 were initially going to be tasked with assisting with camp administration. However, they are at present now solely engaged in maintaining security.

The number of people seeking medical assistance in the care centres continues to rise. The statistics shown in table 2 (see left) were collected from the local health centre at Asarumba and Mangem camps. Provincial health authorities have not yet advised how these figures compare to the broader population of Bogia.

Footnotes:

¹ "Manam erupts", The National, January 31, 2005, p.1, http://www.thenational.com.pg/0131/nation1.htm

² "Care centre theft claims continue", The National, January 31, 2005, p.2, http://www.thenational.com.pg/0131/nation2.htm

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

- In PNG: National Society, Jacqueline Boga, Secretary General Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, phone: +(675) 325 8577, fax: +(675) 325 9714, e-mail: hqpngrcs@online.net.pg

- In PNG: Ervin Bulathsinghala, Head of PNG Delegation/Disaster Preparedness Delegate, phone: +(675) 311 2277, fax: +(675) 323 0731, e-mail: ifrcpg01@ifrc.org

- In Geneva: Regional Department, Ewa Eriksson, phone:+41227304252; fax: +41227330395; email eriksson@ifrc.org

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org