A tribal leader in Papua New Guinea says evacuees of the 2004 volcanic eruption on Manam Island are now refugees in their own country.
A picture of a flash of lava from the erupting volcano on Manam Island, Papua New Guinea. The island is one of the country's most active volcanoes. Photo: Supplied / Scott Waide
The chief of Manam Island's Dugulaba Village, Paul Maburau, has criticised the PNG government over its handling of the Manam resettlement programme.
He said there has been a rise in social problems among families living in evacuation centres as they struggle to earn a living to feed their children and send them to school.
"Govt can get in asylum seekers and put them into Manus Island. It's a disgrace to the people of Manam because they are affected and they are the ones that the govt has to turn on before taking on asylum seekers," Paul Maburau said.
"They have to find a land where they can settle them rather than sitting in the care centre for the last 15 years."
Mr Maburau said the govt had allocated $K3 million the equivalent of $US922,000 to help resettle the islanders - yet "no one knows where the money has gone. And people are still suffering".
"It's all talk and no action," Mr Maburau said.