Health risks increase for displaced folks at Igam gate

THERE has been no humanitarian assistance pro­vided to displaced Highlanders seeking refuge in front of the Igam Barracks military gate since last Saturday, with their numbers increasing daily.
Now there are growing fears over their health as they live in the open, with injured and sick infants.
There is no proper health and sanitation.
They are using two pit toilets surrounded with jute bags and wash in a nearby creek.
They have not been given any shelter or food by the provincial government’s disaster and emergency unit since fleeing.
The wives and children of officers at Igam barracks provided them two canvas sheets that are being used for shelter by women and children.
A spokesman for the displaced Highlanders said it was a concern that the soldiers could not do much because it was a law and order issue.
The Morobe provincial government is expected to visit and provide basic humanitarian necessities soon.
Peace committee chair­-
man Joshua Hagai said they would meet with the leaders of displaced Highlanders today and discuss ways to help them.
At a press conference with police minister John Boito, deputy police commissioner Fred Yakasa, Governor Luther Wenge and Hagai, it was agreed that the Salvation Army should be engaged to assess their situation and report to the committee.
Lae metropolitan commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai arranged police vehicles to move them from Igam to Kamkumung for processing but they were reluctant to move.
The number of displaced Highlanders has risen from 500 on  Tuesday to 800 on Thursday.
The increase comes as more people fled the violence and escaped into nearby bushes of Situm and Nabak and are returning after police went into the areas and told them to come out.
They appealed to non-governmental and charity organisations and churches to help them with clothes, foods, beddings, eating and cooking utensils and shelter.