The governor of the Papua New Guinea province of Madang has called for the government to declare a nationwide state of emergency as a result of the severe drought in the country.
Dry creek bed Photo: Supplied
Jim Kas told a meeting of district authorities that he disagrees with the finance minister, Patrick Pruaitch, in his instruction that districts use money from their local funds for drought relief.
He told the newspaper, The National, that the money held by district authorities is not enough, and he wants a blanket nationwide rollout of emergency funds and relief supplies.
There are nationwide fears of a humanitarian emergency, with most of the country's provinces experiencing prolonged drought as a result of the severe El Niño weather pattern.