Families want timely response

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THE lack of coordination and timely response to disasters and other emergencies were the main concerns raised by families of the dead and survivors of trekking groups through the Sarawaget Range.
Family members gathered at the Manolos Aviation office in Lae, Morobe, yesterday.
The families, who had been fronting up regularly at Manolos Aviation over the last two weeks, sought closure on the fate of their relatives and loved ones, who went missing in the Sarawaget Range while attempting to trek to Indagen in Kabwum, Morobe, for a Lutheran anniversary celebration.
A local from Geraoun village in Sarawaget, Vincent Kowang, who retrieved 11 bodies last week that were airlifted to Lae, was not happy that Morobe disaster office head Charlie Masange created a commotion at the office on Monday.
“I am not happy that Morobe government officers told pilot (Jürgen Ruh) to shut up,” he said.
“He was the first person to respond to our people’s plea, even though there wasn’t any proper information established.”
According to Ruh, he was upset that Masange told Kowang “what not to do”.
Ruh described the Morobe disaster office as a “disaster” as many safety gear and other important items for camping and search and rescue went to the local search and rescue team very late and was also not suitable for the ongoing task.
Masange declined to be interviewed, but said information and plans for the rescue operation as well as an update would be presented during a media conference this week.

One thought on “Families want timely response

  • Peoples lives are lost and press conference and whatever should be the very least of priority. Responsible people in authority should take iniciative and respond swiftly rathet than avoiding the issues. Face up, and act. We are talking about peoples here.

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