5 Jun 2012

More funding needed for PNG's flood stricken Western Province

10:18 am on 5 June 2012

The governor of Papua New Guinea's Western Province says he is trying to find more funding to provide relief to thousands of people forced from their homes by floods in the South Fly area.

Dr Bob Danaya says between 15 and 20 thousand people in about 30 villages have been affected by the flooding.

Dr Danaya says more funding is needed to provide these people with food, fresh water and shelter and he will be meeting with the national government next week to organise further relief.

"A lot of the food gardens, bananas and taro and yam gardens, are now underwater and a lot of people have had to move to higher ground to ensure their lives are not affected."

Bob Danaya says the region has been experiencing near continuous rain for two weeks and people living along the river and coastline are being supported by villages in the Highlands.