The Papua New Guinea government has released US$88,000 in relief funds for Manam islanders affected by a volcanic eruption.

There’s been an urgent need for relief supplies following the eruption of the volcano on Manam Island two weeks ago.

At least a thousand Manam Islanders who were living close to the volcano were evacuated to Bogia on the mainland but several thousand people remain on the island.

Contaminated water is one of the major problems that most people in the affected areas are facing.

Ordering the release of the emergency relief funding, PNG’s Pime Minister Peter O’Neill, has expressed disappopintment at Madang provincial authorities for being too slow in their response to the eruption.