K10m in relief help for Gulf, SHP floods

 THE National Government will increase relief assistance for people affected by flooding in Gulf and Southern Highlands, Chief Secretary Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc says.

“An additional allocation of direct assistance of K3 million to Gulf and K2 million to Southern Highlands is to manage response and recovery in the area,” he said.

“This brings the total allocation to K10 million that will be used to deliver emergency supplies and to restore services.

“There are a lot of people who have lost everything.  Their farms have been washed away, roads washed out and electricity supplies interrupted.

“The priority is providing shelter and re-establishing supply chains so that food, water and medical supplies can be distributed.

“We would like to see all government agencies to be offering assistance to these areas. 

“We are currently monitoring the flooding Aitape over the past week and will be prepared to allocate resources as required.”

Sir Manasupe said he was aware of problems in dispersing the initial allocation, which had been rectified.

He said the Government expected all provinces to be proactive in preparing disaster management plans so as to prepare for future disasters.

“One thing that we can be sure of is that natural disasters are a fact of life that will continue to strike and we must prepare in advance,” he said.

“I note that some provinces have with delivered or are drafting their disaster management plans. 

“The Government will work with provinces that need to do more work on their plans, but this should be a priority.”