More than 1500 finding shelter at care centre

By PETER WARI
MORE than 1500 people from the Kutubu local level government area in the Nipa-Kutubu district of Southern Highlands are sheltering at a care centre at Pimaga station.
A voluntary Kutubu Disaster Committee has been setup to make assessments and help the affected people in the LLG.
Deputy LLG president Sam Simon said the 18 councillors from the LLG recognised the committee and the provincial disaster office in Mendi should support the committee
to do assessments and help the affected people living at the care centre.
Pimaga Rural Hospital matron Michael Puma said they did not want any other person living elsewhere out of the LLG area to represent them.
He told the chief of staff to the governor’s office, Steven Temo, and deputy provincial administrator Fiebik Kilip, who visited the centre and other affected areas, that they needed food, water and other relief supplies.
“Most of the roads in the LLG have been damaged or completely cut off due to landslide and we need assistance to airlift the committees to various locations in the LLG to do assessments,” he said.
Temo said the care centre is giving many new hopes to affected people, especially mothers. “During such times, it is good for the people to stay together and help each other. I am happy with the committee who have used their own resources to establish the care centre,” he said.
Deputy provincial administrator Fiebik Simon said he would report back to the provincial disaster committee.
The Muvi River Bridge seems to be badly damaged.