6 Aug 2005

Australia provides US$130,000 to PNG volcano victims

8:16 am on 6 August 2005

Australia says it'll provide an additional 130-thousand US dollars in aid for villagers affected by volcanic eruptions at Manam Island and Langila in Papua New Guinea.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson said the funding would be channelled through the Australian and PNG Red Cross agencies.

The cash would provide relief supplies for villagers affected by the Langila eruption and improve housing for Manam Islanders.

The Manam Island volcano in Madang Province began erupting in October last year and forced the evacuation of more than 9,000 villagers to relief camps on the mainland.

Volcanic activity at Mount Langila in West New Britain Province increased in intensity in April this year, contaminating local water supplies with ash, and damaging food gardens and homes.