MOBILE phone services have proved to be a great saviour in Oro where floods have damaged telecommunication cables and affected both air and road links.
Emergency controller Col Vagi Oala said in Popondetta yesterday that stranded people were using the mobile phone to get help.
And yesterday, Telikom flew in emergency teams to help local staff restore damage links and boost emergency communications.
Telikom chief executive officer Peter Loko handed out mobile phones to emergency workers in remote areas, and watched over the installation of conference-call telephone equipment.
“Our own people are among those affected, and I have come to see that their housing, their water supply and their families’ welfare are secure, so that they can concentrate on the very large job they have in front of them,” he said.
Telikom has donated K50,000 to a disaster fund it launched at the weekend, named Halivim Wantok.
Eda Ranu and Helifix have both pledged K10,000 each to the fund which will be administered by a committee headed by Sir Rabbie Namaliu.
Accounting firm Price -waterhouseCoopers will assist with the management of the funds.
The appeal will run for the next three weeks.
Anthony Smare, Barrick Gold PNG’s corporate and legal affairs general manager, and executive director of the appeal, said the funds raised would “fill the gaps” where the national and provincial governments and outside donors such as AusAID could reach.
He said it was not to undermine their job but rather to give instant response to those affected.
Mr Smare said further details would be released soon.