Disaster-stricken villages need assistance, says official

THE high tide affecting people at the Sepik River tributaries is manageable as it has been for generations, but it’s the recent earthquake that poses the biggest challenge.
Collins Pinga from Wosera-Gawi’s Korogu village said 64 houses collapsed following the earthquake last week. People built floating flat-form as makeshift shelters on the water using materials from their damaged houses.
“The water level is going down and after two to three weeks, that’s when the real disaster will strike,” he said.
“Clean drinking water will be a big problem. Mud will give bad smell, mosquitoes will get worse and flies will be a big issue.”
He said water related diseases such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever and skin rashes will increase, children, babies and pregnant mothers will be mostly affected.
Most villages lost new born babies during that period.
“People will need clean drinking water, medicine and mosquito nets. Food, tents, water containers, beddings and other things the government and non-government organisation give are secondary.
“Food is not a problem, there’s lots of fish exchange with the inland villages for sago. Mothers are going to Maprik market to sell fish and buy basic needs, “he added.
“For generations, flood’s are a blessing. It gives more fish, and makes it easy to move heavy building materials like logs for canoes.