The governor of Chimbu Province in Papua New Guinea has confirmed the drought impact is severe in some parts of the province, such as the Wahgi Valley.
But Noah Kool says many in other areas are now beginning to feel the effects of frost and drought on their food supplies.
The Chimbu disaster co-ordinator reported earlier in the week that he had been informed of at least 24 deaths due to food shortages and contaminated water, but Mr Kool says they are still to confirm any deaths.
Some food aid sent by the National Government is in the provincial capital, Kundiawa, but Mr Kool says before any of it is distributed they need to know the numbers of those in need.
"So now we are sending people around to get the realistic figures, try to assess the damage realistically, not in flaky numbers but realistically, so that we know precisely how many people need rice, or how many people need flour or other food to date."