Since the Manam Island Volcanic eruption in 2004 in Madang Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG), thousands of Manam Islanders are still living in government-funded care centers in mainland Bogia. Last year (2024) marked 20 years of the people living in care centers without proper permanent relocation plans by the responsible authorities. Life for the Manam Islanders at the three care centers, Potsdam, Asuramba and Mangem has not been easy. There have been numerous reports in the media about ethnic clashes the Islanders are having with locals from the host communities, which have led to some of the islanders moving back to the island despite the risks of living on an active volcanic island.

Resettlement for the islanders has been promised for years, yet nothing has been done. In August 2024, the people finally got to see the new location, which they will eventually be moving to, which is situated between the Bogia and Middle Ramu Districts of Madang Province. Prime Minister James Marape in a statement during the issuing of 199 land titles to the displaced people of the 1994 Rabaul Volcanic eruptions in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, during the commemoration of the 30^th anniversary, highlighted that the National Government is committed to resettling the displaced people. He highlighted that permanent land titles will also be given to the Manam Islanders, adding that it is a step forward in securing a future for them after years of uncertainty.

In September of last year (2024), a National Court decision was handed down by Justice Dr Vergil Narokobi on the resettlement of the Manam Islanders. The court had ordered that the State, the Chairman of the Manam Resettlement Authority, Madang Provincial Government and the Manam Resettlement Authority are to identify and acquire land to resettle the displaced Manam Islanders, as reported in one of the dailies. Justice Dr Narokobi highlighted that this process should be completed within 12 months. He made this decision after finding out that the responsible authorities mentioned above had failed their duties to the displaced Manam Islanders as required under the Manam Island Resettlement Act (2006 and 2016). 

Twenty years of being displaced, will the Manam Islanders finally see a resolution to their long displacement, or will they remain trapped in a cycle of uncertainty?