ReliefWeb

Papua New Guinea's National Disaster Centre says it lacks both the staff and logistical capacity to respond quickly to natural disasters throughout the country.

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by flooding in PNG's Morobe, Oro and parts of the Highlands provinces.

Director Martin Mose told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program it cannot do rapid assessment and response as it lacks the capacity to help those people affected.

"We are well behind time now," he said.

"Usually our response would be 24 to 72 hours...to get all the information in and...have some indication as to what sort of assistance you would require supply to those affected communities."

It's been three weeks since heavy rain began in PNG, and damage assessments are yet to be conducted because the National Disaster Centre says it can't afford it.

Mr Mose said the centre is under resourced at a provincial and national level.

He has called on PNG's 22 provincial administrators to employ people to do disaster assessment and relief assistance work quickly.

"I would just like to see the provincial government come good in supporting the provinces, it's a call as well for our national leaders to support, because disasters affect everybody," he said.

"If it doesn't affect you individually it will affect your relative back home."