Drought-hit villagers crossing border for water

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE prolonged dry weather is forcing villagers in Western to cross over to Indonesia to get water, an official says.
Morehead Council officer Martin Derevi told The National that their neighbours across the border had tanks and wells.
“Villagers in Western in the Morehead local-level government go across the border searching for water,” he said.
“Although we are experiencing the drought together, the Indonesians are well prepared for such times.
“They have tanks and wells. We don’t.
“We take our natural water sources like river and creeks for granted.
“When they dry up, we go searching for water in Indonesia.
“We don’t plan for droughts as we are used to surviving in them. But due to climate change, the drought is prolonged.
“We have to start having tanks and to dig wells to store our water.”
Derevi is the MoreHead LLG assembly clerk.
Meanwhile, Indonesian agriculture officer Iptu Ma’aruf Suroso told Papua Police media that villagers from Weverave in PNG had sought help from them for water. Suroso said 30 Weverave villagers from the Morehead LLG came looking for water carrying cans and bottles.
“Yes, they ask for water to cook and drink,” he said.
“We allowed them to fill their water containers to take them back to their villages.
“We also urged them to make wells so that they don’t face water shortages during this long dry season.”