Papua New Guinea is located north of Australia. The Aitape in its northwest region was hit hard by three phenomenal tidal waves in July this year. The biggest tidal wave, which was about 33 feet high and 30,000 yards wide, struck the coastal areas at 60 miles per hour, damaging at least 9 villages. Official statistics showed that 2,132 people had died and thousands were injured. About nine thousand people became homeless and had to be placed in six temporary shelters.