Jiwaka flood victims await aid

By ELIAS LARI
PEOPLE who have been affected by floods in Jiwaka last year and this year have not received much support from the national and provincial disaster offices, a spokesman says.
Jeffery Kuri said the floods had destroyed property and people were still struggling.
Kuri, who claimed to represent the silent majority, said the floods were a natural disaster but aid had not been provided.
Several attempts had been made to concerned offices but so far nothing had been done to help them.
He said many people had lost their houses and food gardens.
Kuri said it was not fair that Jiwakans affected by natural disasters were not receiving any support.
He said his people had been waiting for a long time.
“We are not begging but asking for disaster relief supplies, which is rightfully ours, so that it can help us to return to live our normal lives,” he said.
He said it was a government responsibility to provide relief to those affected by such natural disasters.
Kuri said disasters such as floods and landslides were regular natural events in the Highlands region.