Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA) - The Papua provincial government has planned to distribute 20 tons of rice to the victims of two volcanic eruptions in West New Britain, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Governor of Papua Province Lukas Enembe remarked here on Monday that the aid will be delivered from the province's border area Skouw District to the nearest Madang Province in PNG.

PNG's West New Britain Governor Francis Maneke noted in Port Moresby on July that some 15 thousand had to flee to eight evacuation camps owing to the eruptions of Mount Uluwu and Mount Manam.

On June 26, Mount Ulawun on PNG's northeastern island of New Britain erupted, spewing an ash column rising 18 kilometers into the air.

Two days later on June 28, Mount Manam, on the northeast coast of mainland Papua New Guinea in Madang Province, also erupted, dispersing superheated pyroclastic flows to the volcano’s west and northeast slopes.

"These evacuees need clean water, food, and shelter. The Papua provincial government and Merauke district government will coordinate to deliver the assistance," Enembe confirmed. Despite no casualties arising from the two volcanic eruptions, the disasters had resulted in the destruction of plantations, wells, and homes.

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Translator: Hendrina Dian Kandipi, Genta T
Editor: Azizah Fitriyanti
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