Landslide victims in Mul-Baiyer call for food, clean water

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By PETER WARI
VILLAGERS affected by a landslide two weeks ago in Mul-Baiyer, Western Highlands, want food and clean water.
The landslide damaged the gardens, water sources, properties and livestock for the villagers of Antinga and Ukuni.
Mul-Baiyer district development authority deputy chief executive officer Robert Rumba, provincial disaster coordinator Robin Yakumb and Baptist Union of PNG disaster coordinator Benjamin Mano visited the area last week.
Yakumb warned villagers not to go to their gardens to collect whatever food was left because of the threats of more landslips.
He warned Antinga villagers to boil water fetched from other sources.
“The provincial government currently has no funding available for such disasters. We will only provide reports and get feedbacks. The disaster is devastating and we are truly sorry,” Yakumb said.
“At this point in time, people must move to other villages away from the landslide area and make use of whatever resources are available while waiting for help.”
Antinga ward councillor James Tem said coffee plantations, fish ponds, livestock, pandanus, kaukau, vegetables and a few homes were buried in the mud.
Tem is worried about what the people will eat while waiting for relief from the provincial government and organisations.
“We were focused on preparing our children to go back to school when the disaster occurred.
“The area is fertile and we earn our living by selling coffee and vegetables,” Tem said.
“Now the disaster has affected us. We will not be able to help our children with school fees. We will go hungry,” he said.
Ukuni villager Joel Simo, a third-year law student at the University of PNG, said people needed immediate help on food and water.

One thought on “Landslide victims in Mul-Baiyer call for food, clean water

  • The Provincial Government should have planned ahead & parked away some Emergency & Disaster funds available for such unexpected natural disasters for immediate attention. Cannot turn a blind eye on the people who immediately need the Provincial Govt. assistance.

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