ExxonMobil giving more than K3mil in quake aid

The National National

ExxonMobil has committed US$1 million (K3.19 million) to assist in the humanitarian relief effort in PNG after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Highlands region last Monday.
Homes, infrastructure and gardens in Hela, Southern Highlands, Western and Enga were damaged as a result.
Chairman and chief executive for ExxonMobil Darren Woods said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastation this earthquake has brought to Papua New Guinea.
“Our highest priority remains the safety and security of people in the Highlands community. It’s our hope that our contributions of funding, equipment and other support will provide some relief in a very challenging situation.”
ExxonMobil is assisting national and international aid agencies and relief organisations with rapid response community assessments.
The company is sourcing tarpaulins, water purification tablets, water containers, food and other humanitarian supplies, and is working with essential service providers to pre-position and distribute resources to areas in the greatest need.
ExxonMobil is also helping to re-establish reliable communications, providing phones to relief agencies and organising community meetings.
Managing director of ExxonMobil PNG Andrew Barry said; “In response to the prime minister’s (Peter O’Neill) immediate state of emergency, we have committed to deploying our expertise and resources to aid recovery efforts in the wake of this natural disaster.
“We are working closely with the National Disaster Centre, aid agencies and our community partners to determine where best to direct our resources.”
On Thursday, ExxonMobil, utilising a company-chartered helicopter, led a team of emergency assessment and relief personnel on one of the first visits to the Highlands area since the disaster. On board were disaster assessors from international aid agencies and representatives of various relief organisations including the United Church, Salvation Army, International Organisation for Migration, Adventist Development and Relief Agency and the United Nations Development Programme.