The National Disaster Office in Papua New Guinea is sending an assessment team to the area affected by the Manam volcanic eruption because they say they have been kept in the dark by local authorities.
The mountain burst into life last Friday for the first time in 11 years.
The acting director Martin Mose says his office has made 18-thousand US dollars worth of funds available for relief supplies but at least another 50-thousand could be needed.
The provincial office says crop gardens have been covered with volcanic dust so food and water is urgently needed
But Mr Mose says his team will be able to better ascertain the situation this afternoon.
"There's very little information coming back from the provincial administration or from the Bogia District Office. Those are the things that we are kept in the dark, not knowing exactly. That is why it is very important that my team are deployed to quickly go and fast-track to check and verify on those and give us a more clearer picture on what has been done and what needs to be done."
Manam Volcano in Papua New Guinea's Madang province. Photo: AFP
