Australia gives another K8.4mil

AUSTRALIA’S Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop announced an additional support of K8.4 million (A$3.4 million) for recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Highlands region following the devastating earthquake of Feb 26.
That brought the Australian government’s humanitarian aid in earthquake response to a total of K12.4 million (A$5 million)
Bishop, in a statement, said the Australian Defence Force (ADF) had played a vital role by providing a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft and three Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters.
She said these enabled ADF members and their PNG Defence Force counterparts to deliver food, water and medicine to remote and badly affected communities.
“My visit to Papua New Guinea will also give me the opportunity to meet and thank the Australian Defence Force members who have been supporting the humanitarian relief effort,” Bishop said.
“Australia and PNG have a close and enduring friendship and we stand ready to provide further support to affected communities, if required.”
“We have also deployed a three-person Australian medical assistance team to assess health needs and determine what additional assistance may be required.”
Bishop is in the country for a three-day visit to be briefed on Australia’s humanitarian response.
During her visit, she will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Rimbink Pato along with other ministers to address a range of subjects including immigration and health.
Bishop will travel to New Ireland today to launch a water and sanitation project, which will be delivered through the PNG- Australia Partnership’s Incentive Fund programme.
The project will benefit up to 12,000 people in nine communities.