A Red Cross spokesperson in Papua New Guinea says ceremonies recognising the International Day of the Disappeared on Bougainville have changed this year.
Over 20,000 people died in the Bougainville civil war and many disappeared without being accounted for. Photo: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Commemorations on the 30th of August recognise people who disappeared in unknown circumstances during the decade-long civil war of the 1990's.
The International Committee of the Red Cross' Head of Communication in PNG says this year there will be three events over three days to mark the occasion.
Dan Waites said the first event will take place in Arawa on the International Day of the Disappeared itself.
"In Arawa there's going to be a symbolic burial at sea. There were a lot of people who died in Bougainville by being thrown into the sea during the crisis. So the families of those people are going to remember them with a ritual sea burial."
The next day will focus on commemorations in Buka with a final one taking place in Buin on the 1st of September.
Last year simultaneous events were held on the 30th of August, in both Arawa and Buka.
Up to 20,000 people died in the conflict and many disappeared without being accounted for.