Seventeen days into the stand-off with authorities, Aziz tells Michael about how men in the detention centre are dealing with the lack of water after tanks and wells were destroyed – as well as the men's medical needs, many arising from the ad hoc water supply. And with New Zealand's resettlement offer in the headlines, he reflects on why Australia has so far refused it.

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Photo: Manus Alert

In this update

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin.

Further reading

• 'NZ refugee offer stands, despite new allegations', by Mei Heron, Radio NZ, accessed 17 November 2017

• 'Decay, despair, defiance: inside the Manus Island refugee camp', by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia, accessed 17 November 2017

• island-refugees.html">'What Is Happening on Manus Island? The Detainee Crisis Explained', by Russell Goldman and Damien Cave, New York Times, accessed 17 November 2017

More information

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Thank you

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.