Access to the Sissano lagoon area has been restricted to military personnel only and further bodies found recently floating in the lagoon have been sunk by the PNG Defence Force. Bodies have also been found in the small waterway leading to the lagoon behind Malol. Water samples taken from the Sissano lagoon showed a very high level of coliforms. The water is not normally used for drinking but people had used the lagoon area to fish. Expert opinion is required on the length of time the lagoon should be restricted to the public as this will impact on resettlement plans.
Local people are also concerned about health risks from eating fish caught in the region.
National and international response 14. Some of the provinces are also raising funds for the disaster, as reported in the local press. The Government would now like to start focusing on the resettlement and rehabilitation process of the affected people, and the Provincial Government is also forming a rehabilitation committee to put together a 'restoration programme'. Thanks to the overwhelming international response to the disaster, both in cash and in-kind, emergency requirements have sufficiently been covered. A comprehensive summary table about international donations reported to OCHA will be provided in the next situation report.