North Fly communities launch disaster risk management programme

WESTERN’S North Fly communities – Moian, Drimdamasuk, Atkamba and Senamrae – launched their community-based disaster risk management programme plans last Friday.
This programme is funded by the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. The plans were developed with the input of women, men, youths and vulnerable groups such as children and persons with disabilities from the target communities.
Drafting of the plans received technical inputs from International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and local authorities in Western.
IOM Kiunga field office staff Philip Nere said the plans complimented the ward development plans “that are living and working documents, which the ward leaders and members of their communities can revise to incorporate relevant changes whenever necessary”.
North Fly administrator Greg Isau stressed the need for stronger working partnerships.
“The Government continues to provide services to the people, including supporting disaster management work,” he said.
“However, there are gaps and challenges we face and we appreciate the support of partners such as IOM.
“This is first of its kind for the province in which disaster risk management plans are developed by local communities and given back to them as living documents to build upon.”
Isau said the communities must work closely with Government officers and other relevant partners in implementing their plans.