By GABRIEL FITO
There is a reported outbreak of diarrhoea at Yapsie in Telefomin, Sandaun province following heavy flooding due to continuous rains for almost three weeks.
Sandaun provincial health adviser Desek Drorit said yesterday 60 people including 20 children have fallen ill.
However, no deaths had been reported.
Mr Drorit said the number of those affected could have increased to over 100 during the last seven days because the provincial health headquarters was unable to communicate with Yapsie health centre through their radio network.
Mr Drorit said all medical supplies for the flood devastated people are still in Vanimo waiting to be airlifted because the provincial administration had not organised a charter yet.
Four health workers from Telefomin have been moved to Yapsie health centre medical attention.
The Sandaun provincial administration indicated early this week that it would need over K66,000 to provide relief assistance to the affected villages.
Acting provincial administrator Julie Kai told The National yesterday that 2,007 people had been affected, 242 houses destroyed and 872 food gardens washed away by floods early this month.
She said K66,535.50 would be needed to provide food rations and fuel for outboard motors, pay for outboard motors, medical supplies, manpower, other basic equipment and hire of aircraft to airlift supplies to the affected villagers.
She said the member for Telefomin and Deputy Governor Peter Welawe was briefed about the situation and was negotiating for help with national disaster and emergency office in Port Moresby.