27 November 2007
Australia's role in response to the flooding in Oro province is now making significant in-roads in getting relief aid to those who need it. Australian Defence Force (ADF) Blackhawk helicopters are getting crucial food, medical supplies and shelter to the many isolated communities and villages in Oro Province affected by the floods.
AusAID committed $1m to assist the PNG relief effort with approximately five tonnes of Australian relief supplies arriving late last week, comprising urgently needed stores, particularly water containers, tarpaulins, generators, blankets and water purification tablets. To-date, around 100 tonnes of humanitarian stores have been distributed.
One of the biggest challenges is reaching the many communities now isolated because bridges have been washed away, or indeed in some cases villages have been washed away.
A senior AusAID officer and his team of staff are on the ground assisting the State of Emergency Controller with coordination and distribution efforts.
Three ADF Blackhawk helicopters are now working in the province in support of the three Caribou and Hercules aircraft already in place getting aid out to communities.
The Hercules are moving many tonnes of crucial food, shelter, water and medical supplies into a central point in the province (near Popondetta) from where it is being moved by Caribou to smaller landing strips around the province. From this point the Blackhawks will distribute the aid directly into the isolated villages.
An ADF heavy landing craft is also bringing supplies into the province by sea.
The National Disaster Centre, AusAID, the Anglican Church and NGOs have been conducting and coordinating ongoing needs assessments throughout the province which will ensure aid gets to those who most need it.
$500,000 has been distributed to key NGOs who are well placed on-the-ground to contribute to the relief effort.
Apart from food, water and shelter, health assessments are also a priority - while there is always a risk, in the wake of such disasters, for water borne illnesses such as dysentery and malaria to develop there is no indication at this stage that a significant problem exists.
See also:
- Media release: Australia Increases Support for PNG Flood Disaster [6/12/07]
- Media release: Humanitarian Relief for Papua New Guinea [22/11/07]
- Video: Cyclone Guba relief operation, PNG (November 2007) [WMV 4.7 MB] | text only
How you can help
For more information on how you can help see Australian Council for International Development [external website]
See also ReliefWeb [external website]
Above: Unloading supplies. Photos: Roger Wheatley, AusAID
