7 Feb 2017

Bougainville Govt struggle to respond to quake impact

6:50 am on 7 February 2017

The Government of Bougainville says it is struggling to respond to a destructive earthquake that hit the east and south of the main island last month.

The 7.9 magnitude quake claimed at least two lives, caused a series of landslides, wrecked some roads, and left people homeless.

It also impacted on communications.

But the acting Bougainville President Raymond Masono said they still lack a full report on the quake's effect because their disaster agency's activities have been curtailed by a lack of funds.

And Mr Masono said the recovery by the entire Autonomous Bougainville Government was also hampered by the Papua New Guinea National government failing to provide its prescribed funding on time.

"At this time of the year we have not received any grants as yet so we are also in a very difficult situation trying to assess those people, but we are working around the clock to try and find some money so we can assist those people as soon as possible," he said.