PNG Kumul Force reaching hearts

IN times of crises, whatever support is given to those in need will always be appreciated.
Big or small, it’s the thought that counts.
Leaning towards the Dalai Lama quote “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive” best summons efforts by Papua New Guineans as we all rally to support our neighbour Australia in her time of need.
This week, PNG’s Kumul Force 17 comprising of 100 soldiers took to the sky to join their counter-parts, the Townsville based Australian Defence Forces Element, Third Brigade, forming the Joint Taskforce 646, a joint engineer element.
The group will be helping on the ground in bushfire-affected areas in Victoria by assessing needs, facilitating route clearances and deliveries of supplies to communities in need.
The welcome remarks from the Brigadier Kahlil Fegan, Commander of Townsville’s 3rd Brigade on Monday on the arrival of our Kumul Force 17 pretty much sums up the comradeship between PNG and Australia.
“During this time of a national emergency where we really need some assistance, our brothers and sisters from PNG have stood up and given their time to come over and work with us,” Fegan said.
“The emotion of having that support, speaks volume.”
Manpower support in terms of firefighters and soldiers has come in from Australia and New Zealand and it is only right that PNG, the bigger country in the Pacific also support the same.
Australia has a lot of friends globally to reach out to but they accepted our offer and reached out to PNG to help rebuild what has been destroyed by the fires.
The 100 defence personnel are our hands, our feet and our hearts on the ground in the affected areas.
They are our ambassadors as we show our love for our Australian families, who have for many years also in similar manner, shown love and compassion to us through assistance they have rendered in our times of need.
As Prime Minister James Marape says no amount of money we send to Australia will adequately show our sympathy and love more, then having actual men and women on the ground serving with fellow compatriots in the Australian Defence Force.
While criticisms have been thrown on this support, as much as we have our own problems, we should also be ready to give a hand when needed.
Australia is PNG’s biggest development partners spanning over 45 years and it is time we reciprocate the support in whatever little way we can.
There is also a suggestion by Opposition Leader and Vanimo–Green MP for all 111 MPs to contribute K100,000 each and hit the amount of K11 million. Let’s be truthful here, Australia would prefer that money be spent in developing rural areas and bringing services to the people there.
We have hospitals, roads and schools in dire conditions that need immediate funding.
It is also our culture to support when we can and what is being offered by our Government should be embraced.
For our soldiers in Australia, there can never be a greater calling, then wearing our flag on their sleeves as they get to helping and reaching out to a neighbour who is in need.
Now is not the time to compete on who gives the biggest support, it’s about caring enough for others and seizing the opportunity when you have the chance to do some good.