The non-government organisation, Oxfam, says there is growing domestic tension in Papua New Guinea highlands areas affected by drought.
Papua New Guinea Highlands affected by drought. Photo: Supplied
Much of the highlands region remains in the grip of a severe drought brought on by the El Nino weather affecting much of the Pacific.
Oxfam PNG is based in Goroka in Eastern Highlands and it also operates in Chimbu where its country director, Esmie Sinapa, says people are becoming agitated as the impacts of the drought bite.
She says there will be stresses within family homes because of the scarcity of their own food supplies or money to buy food.
"There will be rises in violence against women, against children, against people with disabilities, people who are vulnerable and a burden in the home - they will have to share the burdens in the home and so you will find in the homes there will be an absence of peace, because of scarce food and resources to go around."