PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — In Papua New Guinea, concerns have once again been raised over the well being and future of hundreds of inhabitants from the Caterets and other atolls in Bougainville after a severe storm hit the islands recently.
For the past few years, the people of the atolls have been seriously affected by continuing food shortages – the result of damage to garden crops from devastating waves that have also prevented villagers from venturing out to fish.
Provincial administrators are also blaming the plight of the people of the Caterets on rising sea levels and increasing population in the atolls surrounding Bougainville.
Paul Tobasi, the Atolls’ District Manager in Buka, explained the situation.
“All the food gardens have been badly affected by the rising sea levels and by the floods a few months ago. At the moment, I would say there is absolutely nothing in the gardens which the people can live on. At the moment, the people are living on coconuts and fish alone.”
