Landslide claims three lives, official appeals for aid relief

THE Lumusa landslide in Western Highlands, have claimed three lives as of yesterday, Highlands Humanitarian Hub (HHH) coordinator from the Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea (BUPNG) Benjamin Mano says.
“A village magistrate and a woman were buried alive in the landslide on last Saturday,” he added.
“Another survivor who was found alive died yesterday.”
Mano said the landslide had affected so many lives in Ausa village where several food gardens, cash crops sucjh as coffee and homes were buried.
He said hundreds of people from Ausa in the Mul-Baiyer electorate were in shock.
“My office is working with the victims to compile a report to be presented to the disaster management team,” he said.
“In the meantime, I am appealing to the Government and the private sector to help the people who are affected.”
Mano said HHH was in the process of completing a full report and work with other agencies and the provincial disaster team to determine what kind of support that can be extended to the victims.
Ausa ward councillor Justin Kura said the landslide was the first of its kind to hit the area, especially the Waiye tribe and village.
“We have no idea what caused the landslide, unless people from the authorities can come and assess the damages and inform us,” he said.
“Six people could have died in the landslide.
“We are still looking for those missing.”
Kura called on the Government, through its disaster office, to attend to the disaster area and provide relief assistance.