by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
El Nino effects have traumatised many across the country, with Papua New Guinea amongst the many that have been greatly affected by the lasting drought and frost conditions.
This has resulted in food shortages, a long dry spell, and a slight break out of health sickness including TB and diarrhoea in many parts of the country.
Most locals have called on the government for assistance and have seen government intervention through the provincial relief supply assistance.
According to Radio Australia, a newly compiled assessment from 200 reports from the government, NGOs, church organisations and individuals in drought and frost affected regions, has found that about 800,000 people in these affected areas are critically lacking food.
The statistics have raised concerns on the ongoing suffering affecting the people and calls for immediate action to help the suffering people have been made.
The affected areas include communities in the Highlands region and the remote parts of Western province and Milne Bay province.
According to Dr. Mike Bourke, an Australian National University Academic, although there has been periodic rain in parts of the country; the drought situation is getting worse.
