On September 7 all Catholic communities in Bougainville held a special collection for the victims of the Bagana eruption on the south-western part of the island on August 17.
The Diocese of Bougainville estimates that 1380 people have been affected by the eruption.
The local villages most affected are those living in the hills below Bagana.
Gardens and water sources have been damaged and a number of people are being looked after at care centres.
They have experienced contamination of drinking water tanks and the closure to two primary schools in the area.
The Diocese of Bougainville is joining efforts with the national and local autonomous government.
Bagana is 1750 metres high and is also one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
The Torokina district around Bagana has a population estimated to be 6000 people who are scattered and isolated.
The closest location is accessible by banana boat, a trip that takes 4 hours from Buka.
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