Governor grateful for quick response from donors, voluntary relief efforts

By LUKE KAMA
HELA Governor Philip Undialu is pleased with the coordination of relief supplies and thanked the Government and partners for helping the people.
Undialu told The National yesterday that support from the Government, Australia, donor agencies, development partners, companies, individuals and humanitarian organisations had been overwhelming.
“I extend our appreciation to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Government, and Australia for the quick response. Our corporate citizens such as Oil Search Limited, ExxonMobil and the Mission Aviation Fellowship have been helping our people,” Undialu said.
He said providing water, food, medical supplies, treatments and repatriations had been coordinated very well on the ground.
“One of our coordination centre is at Moro, coordinated by Oil Search Limited at their base and the other which the Hela provincial government coordinates is in Tari. The two teams communicate with each other on daily basis to coordinate relief efforts and relief supplies.
“Coordination is going very well on the ground and we thank everyone for the contribution and donations that are coming through.”
Undialu said more than 200 public servants in Hela were involved in the relief work.
A committee to coordinate and manage relief assistance is chaired by provincial administrator William Bando.
Committee members are drawn from a wide range of stakeholders as well as experts from international humanitarian organisations.