The Australian government has announced a support package of vaccines and PPE for Papua New Guinea as the nation suffers a catastrophic second wave.

The PNG government estimates up to one in three of its citizens are affected by COVID-19.

Australia will send 8000 vaccines, a million masks, 200 ventilators, and hundreds of thousands of other pieces of PPE to the island nation.

Spokesperson of the End COVID for All movement Tim Costello told Deborah Knight the situation is “really serious and terribly distressing”.

“Papua New Guinea simply can’t cope.

“We know that 16 per cent of the world’s population … have 70 per cent of the vaccine because we have the money.

“It’s humane to actually … include them, but secondly it’s intelligent: … mutant variations running riot in PNG will come here.

“This is a humanitarian catastrophe on our doorstep.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview

Image: Nine News