MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce the first delivery of a $1.6 million package of
medical aid arrived in Papua New Guinea this afternoon.
The pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and antimalarial preparations, are
destined for those living in PNG's most drought-affected areas.
The scale of the drought is now becoming apparent with the initial field
assessment reports indicating that about 500 000 people face extreme hardship in
what is reported to be the country's worst drought in 50 years.
For the last month, 13 field assessment teams, sponsored by AusAID, the
Australian Agency for International Development, have been visiting PNG's 19
provinces looking at the scale of problems associated with health, water and
food supplies.
Although there has been recent rain in some provinces, early assessment
results indicate the drought is more serious than first envisaged.
The assessment teams, consisting of health experts, logisticians,
hydrogeologists and food and agricultural experts, use a five point scale to
assess the severity of the drought-related problems. The scale ranges from
category 1 (unusually dry but no major food supply, drinking water or health
problems) to category 5 (extreme situation, no food available at all, water very
short, many people ill, small children and old people dying).
The PNG Government has been providing food aid to the worst affected areas.
A dedicated RAAF Caribou is being readied to assist in the transportation of
food and other supplies within PNG, and the Australian Government has made it
clear that we stand ready to provide further assistance, including food aid.
Media contact: Innes Willox (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500
/ 0411 414 695 Geoff Adlide (AusAID) 02 6206 4967 / 0417 683126