K3mil for East Sepik disaster relief

By HANNAH NERO
THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing K3.45 million (US$900,000) in disaster relief assistance to East Sepik and the Highlands region.
According to a US embassy spokesperson, it was in response to the needs of communities affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck East Sepik on March 24, plus flooding in East Sepik and the highlands provinces.
The disaster-affected people will be provided emergency shelters, humanitarian logistics support, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.
US Ambassador to PNG, Ann Marie Yastishock said the assistance “will reduce suffering and save lives in communities affected by the earthquake and flooding”.
“The United States has a long-term commitment to help communities in Papua New Guinea build resilience to extreme weather and climate change,” she said.
USAID, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has already distributed more than 300 shelter kits and 200 non-food item kits for people in East Sepik.
Supplies reached people along the Sepik River on Monday with assistance from a helicopter supporting PNG Defence Force operations.
According to the IOM, the combined effects of the earthquake and flooding displaced around 10,000 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes, and affected almost 400,000 people in East Sepik and the Highlands regions.