UN reps visit communities badly hit by the earthquake

Representatives from United Nations have visited earthquake-affected communities in Hela, Southern Highlands and Western provinces to see, first-hand, the impact of the earthquake and UN response on the field.
UN resident coordinator Gianluca Rampolla, along with country representative David Mcloughlin, Unicef PNG and Robert Dekker, the emergency coordinator for UN World Food Programme, met with people in some of the most severely-affected communities to talk about their needs and also distribute food and other relief items.
Dekker, said: “By using helicopters, we’ve been able to reach the most remote and food-insecure communities in isolated mountainous areas cut off by the earthquake.”
Speaking with communities, Mcloughlin, said: “I am deeply touched to witness the manner in which each member of the community has stayed together so strong to support each other and rebuild during such devastating times … while at the same time being sensitive to the
special needs of young children, pregnant mums, the sick and the elderly.”
Rampolla said: “I would like to express my solidarity with the affected communities. I am happy and humbled to see that the UN has been able to reach out and help people at this time of need. I am deeply inspired by the resilience of the people and their resolve to rebuild their lives in such challenging circumstances.”
He thanked Oil Search for its relief efforts and support to the UN’s humanitarian work.