Disturbing footage from inside the Manus Island detention centre has revealed the filthy conditions faced by the men who have refused to leave the camp.
Video obtained by activist GetUp group shows men sleeping outside on tables in an attempt to escape sweltering conditions inside cramped shipping containers.
It also shows how washing facilities aren’t working, toilets are blocked due to a lack of running water, and the fact the men have dug for water and built wells using wheelie bins to stay hydrated.
Disturbing footage from inside the Manus Island detention centre has revealed the filthy conditions faced by the men who remain at the camp
Men have dug for water and built wells using wheelie bins to stay hydrated
Men have been forced to make wells out of wheelie bins to collect drinking water
It’s been nine days since the Australian government cut off food, water, medical assistance and electricity to the refugees at the centre.
There are still 580 men living at the detention centre who are protesting against the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments who want to move them to facilities near the township of Lorengau.
Even after running out of food, medication and clean water, the men believe it is safer to stay at the old compound rather than risk being attacked by locals at the new facility.
GetUp’s human rights co-director Shen Narayanasamy spent eight hours in the camp filming the video.
‘Death or serious illness is inevitable in coming days. These men are sick, thirsty and hungry. The conditions are appalling and it’s obvious you wouldn’t choose to stay here if you thought you could be safer elsewhere,’ Ms Narayanasamy said.
‘There is a great threat of violence from the PNG army and the Manus Island community has made it very clear it doesn’t want the men to move into accommodation closer to town.’
It’s been nine days since the Australian government cut off the food, water, medical assistance and electricity to the refugees at the centre
Squalid conditions: footage from inside Manus Island show mould covered bathrooms
GetUp’s human rights co-director Shen Narayanasamy spent eight hours in the camp filming the video (pictured)
Manus Island shame: Toilets are blocked due to a lack of running water
PNG authorities posted a warning notice on Thursday instructing the asylum seekers to leave immediately.
‘If necessary, force may be used to relocate those who refuse to move voluntarily for your own sake,’ the memo says.
The UN’s refugee agency says substantial parts of the alternative accommodation are not yet ready.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton insists those claims are wrong.
‘The only difference in the new centre is that where we serve three meals a day at the (detention centre), we’re asking people to prepare their own meals with food supplied and some think that that’s not good enough for them,’ he told 2GB.
Video obtained by activist GetUp group shows men sleeping outside on tables in an attempt to escape sweltering conditions inside cramped shipping containers
Shocking footage from inside Manus Island has revealed the squalid conditions the men there face