Around 5,000 people displaced by a volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea in June have returned home.
Mt Ulawun started erupting at about eight in the morning, local time. Photo: AFP / Niugini Helicopters / Craig Powell
Mt Ulawun's eruption blanketed West New Britain's northern coast in thick ash, killing crops and contaminating water supplies.
Around 15,000 people were forced to flee to disaster centres which the UN said lacked clean water access.
But after relocation efforts began last week, the provincial governor said about a third had returned, most of whom were workers at a local plantation.
Francis Maneke said the rest would have to wait for their villages to be rebuilt.
"We're still managing the care centres, in which there is still support coming in from foreign nations," he said.
"And now we're looking at more medical supplies and so with infrastructure initiatives like building materials and all of that to put into schools, so schools can start classes."
Mr Maneke said the remaining people were villagers who lived close to Mt Ulawun and they would have to wait for it to stabilise further.
Care centre for evacuees displaced by Mt Ulawun's eruption in West New Britain, PNG. Photo: Supplied
