By GABRIEL FITO
The Sandaun provincial administration would need over K66,000 to provide relief assistance to more than 2,000 flood devastated people of the remote Yapsie area in Telefomin.
Acting provincial administrator Julie Kai told The National yesterday that a total of 2,007 people have been affected, 242 houses destroyed and 872 food gardens washed away by flood.
She said there has also been an outbreak of diahorea in the area with 60 cases being reported.
According to a report reaching the provincial administration, 20 of these cases involved children with numbers expected to rise within the next few days if relief supplies do not reach the area quickly.
The report said that ward one, two and 13 have been badly affected due to continuous heavy rains and flooding in the area for nearly three weeks.
Telefomin district health coordinator Kepeni Hohom, who reported the situation via the Health Radio, said communities along the Yapsie river including the Yapsie station with seven public servants, church workers and three businessmen have been affected.
He said domestic animals, canoes and houses were all swept away by floods. However, no casualties were reported.
Hohom said ward 13 area was yet to be assessed as it is difficult to access at this stage.
According to the LLG project officer, the areas where food gardens and homes were heavily affected need urgent attention from the Sandaun provincial disaster office. Affected households need tents, food and medical supplies.
Mrs Kai said attempts by the administration to obtain goods from supermarkets in Vanimo on credit have been turned down by shops as they needed cash on delivery.
She said the administration had made a submission to the Member for Telefomin and Deputy Governor Peter Welawe with copies to the provincial administrator, who was in Port Moresby so that they could negotiate with national disaster and emergency office in Port Moresby for assistance.
She said a total of K66, 535.50 would be needed to buy food rations, fuel for outboard motors, hire of outboard motor.
The money would also be used to buy medical supplies, manpower, acquire basic equipment and hire of aircraft to airlift supplies to the affected villagers.