Church to assist with K3m relief supplies

 By TAUNA GEORGE

THE Catholic Church has pooled together resources to help six provinces in the highlands that are severely affected by the El-Nino drought since last August.

General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference in PNG and Solomon Islands Fr Victor Roche yesterday announced a full scale drought relief programme to the tune of K3,356,892.

Roche said funding was sought through the church’s kind-hearted Caritas partners in Australia and New Zealand-based on data collected on those being affected. 

Roche said recipients of the relief programme were Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela. He said the relief programme was not restricted to the highlands provinces but included parts of Western and Morobe also facing the same effects of the drought.

Roche thanked Caritas Australia and New Zealand for their sacrifices in raising the funds towards assisting the people of PNG.

“We are currently in the liturgical time of Lent and many churches follow this time before Easter which is also time for giving and helping those in need. So the Catholic Church is now able to help those in need,” Roche said.

“I hope the funding will go directly to those that need it the most.” Meanwhile, Caritas PNG national director Raymond Ton said more than 336,000 people would benefit.