Flood victims claim funds not enough

 A GROUP of people affected by the flood in Western Highlands claim that the K5,000 given to them by the provincial disaster office is less than what they actually lost during the disaster.

Members of the Komkui clan in Mt Hagen claimed that they estimated K25,000 worth of damage to their properties after the Kum River burst its banks in January.

Spokesperson Francis Kot said they lost 200 houses, more than 1,000 food gardens, pigs and coffee trees.

He said K5,000 was not enough.

“We thought that there were funds made available by the national disaster office to assist people who were affected by flood at that time,” Kot said.

“The destruction caused to our properties has been reported in The National and proper reports and assessments have been done and then submitted to the provincial disaster office.

“We have been experiencing flood for the last 20 years and never at one time received assistance.” 

A staff from the provincial disaster officer said the money paid to the Komkui people was from a K40,000 made available by the provincial administration.