Papua New Guinea's Red Cross says there are grave fears of an outbreak of disease in the drought-affected Highlands.
Several provinces are in the grip of a severe drought as a result of the current El Niño system affecting much of the Pacific.
The national disaster management coordinator for the PNG Red Cross, Michael Sembenombo, says there are severe shortages of food and water.
But he says there is also a critical need to inform people about hygiene and sanitation issues to try and stop the spread of disease.
"People are eating kaukau that is being spoilt by the frost and also consuming water that is not safe."
Dry creek bed Photo: Supplied
