THERE is reportedly not enough stock of rice for distribution to care centres and affected areas in the flood-devastated Oro province.
And there is reportedly no word on how soon any supply of rice would reach the main distribution centre at the Popondetta campus Vudal University.
The shortage of rice, which has temporarily substituted garden food for the locals, was only discovered yesterday morning after the last supply from the first wave of relief supplies to Popondetta was transported to Soputa village.
Coordinator of the relief supply distribution centre Albert Bogembo confirmed the report but was optimistic that more supply would be shipped in from Port Moresby and Lae.
But officers engaged in the actual distribution and allocation of the supplies fear that there was not enough rice in stock for distribution.
Last Thursday, the National Disaster Centre (NDC) team in Popondetta reportedly sent a list of what was needed to their headquarters in Port Moresby but to date these goods or their arrival in Popondetta is not known.
The officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed concerns that people in the devastated-areas, who have reportedly run out of rations over the last week, would not receive anything because of the reported shortage.
Concerns were also raised regarding goods being distributed by some non-governmental organisations and the NDC-led team.
It was reported that some affected areas were receiving more supply than others.