Govt offers to help WNB and Vanuatu

PRIME Minister James Marape says Government will support those in West New Britain affected by recent strong winds and rain.
It is understood that homes, churches and schools flooded, with landslides closing off roads which displaced families.
Governor Sasindran Muthuvel told The National over the weekend that the Government was working with disaster office, to assess the damages.
Marape also offered the country’s support to Vanuatu after the disasters brought on by tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin.
He offered his sympathies to the people of Vanuatu and said Papua New Guinea stood ready to help its Melanesian brother regain its footing after natural disasters hit the island nation beginning on Friday.
Vanuatu, now in a declared State of Emergency, was first hit by a Category four tropical Cyclone Judy and, two days later, by Cyclone Kevin, with winds measuring up to 230 kilometres an hour, according to the Fiji Meteorology Service.
Last Friday, two earthquakes registering 6.5 and 5.4 in magnitude also hit the island nation.
No casualties have been reported as yet but hundreds of people remain in emergency evacuation centres in the capital of Port Vila.
Marape said he was concerned at the news and said his government would do everything to help the people of Vanuatu overcome these disasters.
“I am very concerned to hear this news of destruction and damage brought about by the cyclones,” he said.
“Pacific island states are prone to natural disasters of all kinds and small island countries feel the effects more than big countries like PNG.
As Pacific people, we always stand together united to face these challenges.
“Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu share a long history of working together.
“At this time when our Melanesian wantok needs help, we will give the needed support to help the affected people of Vanuatu rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Cyclone Kevin.”