Close to 3000 Manam islanders are in need of medical support, food, and clean water after their food gardens and water sources were destroyed by ash fall when Manam volcano erupted last Wednesday. A team from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory accompanied by Iabu LLG President Kenny Boli carried out an assessment on the extent of damages caused. The report once compiled will be given to the local member and the provincial administrator. Around 7 am last Wednesday Manam erupted spewing ash with scoria of about 1-2 km above the volcano. This is the aftermath. Although there were no casualties reported, houses, food crops, and food gardens were destroyed and water sources contaminated. The islanders' immediate need now is clean water, food, medical support, and temporary shelter for families whose houses were destroyed. The villages most affected by the light-moderate ash fall that was accompanied by scoria are from Madauri to Baliau. It’s been five days since the team from RVO went to the island to assess the extent of damages caused. But another team comprising health, education, law and order, disaster, and other relevant government bodies need to go in and assess the situation. The recent eruption has brought to light the plight of Manam islanders living in the care centers for over 17 years following the major eruptions of late 2004 to early 2005. These displaced islanders are still waiting for the government to resettle them to the hinterlands of Bogia on the mainland. Picture courtesy: John Seach