Four people have been charged over violence in the Cape York community of Aurukun which has forced more than 250 people to flee the township, including 110 sheltering at a bush camp run by a group of military veterans.

Key points: More than one-fifth of Aurukun's 1,200 population have fled the township due to safety concerns

More than one-fifth of Aurukun's 1,200 population have fled the township due to safety concerns It follows community unrest after a fatal stabbing on New Year's Day

It follows community unrest after a fatal stabbing on New Year's Day Military veterans with the Kapani Warrior program are sheltering more than 100 displaced residents in a bush camp

Several houses were firebombed last week after about 200 residents, some bearing makeshift weapons, took to the streets in search of two teenagers aged 17 and 18 who allegedly stabbed a 37-year-old man to death on New Year's Day.

The pair have been charged with murder, and three men, aged 37, 40 and 47, and a 17-year-old boy have been charged with arson and riot offences.

More than a fifth of Aurukun's 1,200 residents have since fled due to safety concerns, including 120 who have gone to Coen, nearly 300 kilometres away, and 110 who have been sheltering in bushland outside the township.

Five army veterans from Kapani Warrior, which runs personal development programs for young people in Queensland remote Indigenous communities, have set up a bush camp for the displaced.

Program director, Tim White, said the group was providing food, water, shelter and medical support for people who had lost their homes or did not feel safe remaining in the community.

"A hundred people require 300 meals a day, they require appropriate sanitation, they require 5,000 litres of water a day," he said.

"We are challenged, but we're meeting that challenge."

The Kapani Warrior program is a veteran-run personal development and leadership program operating in several remote Indigenous Communities in Queensland. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

Dr White said the Commonwealth was assisting with food and fuel provisions, while the State Government had organised a plumber to install toilets at the site.

"Initially we had two septics out in this bush camp, which required daily maintenance which our veterans were able to keep running — not without some ingenuity and creativity," he said.

"Homes have been destroyed and some people have absolutely nothing.

"Clothing is an issue, shoes are an issue.

"It was a traumatic period and has continued to be a traumatic period."

Two nurses and a mental health worker from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service were to visit the camp under police escort to assess what care would be needed in coming days.

Fire-destroyed house in Aurukun in far north Queensland on January 2. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

'This is unprecedented'

Dr White said his team was used to working in challenging conditions including in overseas conflicts, but his camp cook, a 76-year-old Battle of Long Tan veteran, said the situation reminded him of refugees fleeing violence during the Vietnam War.

Aurukun has experienced violent flare-ups in the past, often due to conflict between clans or family groups.

But Dr White said the community was in somewhat "uncharted waters" with the latest unrest.

"Some of those people have worked here for decades and everyone's in agreeance that I've spoken to — this is unprecedented," he said.

"Is it a humanitarian crisis? If you were to have a similar occurrence in other places around the globe, you would describe it as that.

"It's hard to label it.

"We can't say it's this or that, and this is where the struggle is for the State and Federal Government.

"That's all we can describe it as — unprecedented."

Aurukun's police station and government buildings were put into lockdown during the recent unrest. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

Unknown when displaced residents can return home

Police, government representatives and community leaders are continuing negotiations to restore calm to Aurukun.

The Aurukun Shire Council said its facilities and services were operating "to restore community confidence".

"We want to help people return to the community and be part of the healing process which started on Friday with Elders conducting a smoking ceremony at the health clinic so staff could return and go about their work," it said in a statement.

But Dr White said he was unsure how long the camp would be required to continue operating.

"We'll continue to provide support up until we're not wanted or not needed," he said.

"But the wet season is well and truly knocking on the door at the moment and that will mean our logistics, our ability to maintain the camp will become harder and harder."

An aerial view of the Cape York Indigenous community of Aurukun, which is near the mouth of the Archer River. ( Supplied: Tim O'Reilly: Supplied )

Dr White said the community members had displayed great resilience in a traumatic situation.

"I sat back after dinner and watched with great pride teams of young men and women we've worked with for years preparing meals and doing peer support and washing pots and making beds and cleaning for the old people," he said.

"I think there is certainly a whiff in the air with wanting change.