Quake hits Sepik hard

COVER STORY

I’VE never experienced such (aftershocks) in my area.”
Says Anthony Kesasaman from Kirimbit village in the Chambri Lakes in East Sepik.
Kirimbit was the epicenter of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which shook the province amongst other centers at 4.04am on April 3.
It was also felt in several others parts of the country including West Sepik, Enga, Eastern Highlands, Jiwaka and Southern Highlands.
Kesasaman said, “On Monday, all our houses were continuously shaking for about 15-20 minutes followed by continuous aftershocks.”
The quake reportedly claimed eight lives, injured scores more and destroyed 800-plus homes in almost all six districts.
Governor Allan Bird said the eight people lost their lives in the first few hours of the earthquake last Monday due to their houses collapsing on them.
Most of the destruction occurred in Angoram around the Blakwara area, in Gawi (Wosera-Gawi) and Ambunti (Ambunti-Dreikikier).
Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang has urged the Government to provide emergency support to the countless who were injured and displaced in various parts of East Sepik.
Lelang reiterated that there must always be emergency funds available and the National Disaster and Emergency Services (NDES) must be fully equipped to deploy at a moment’s notice.
“This country sits on the Pacific ring of fire. It is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Large rivers and high rain fall result in flooding and land slips which has happened numerous times.
“ The Government must ensure NDES is able to respond in the shortest time to disasters. “ And this is one area where funds from Item 207 are supposed to be spent – on emergencies and unbudgeted expenditure such as court-awarded compensation and international commitments,” he said.
Stanley Augwi from Sapandai village, Wosera-Gawi said the tremors still continued as they waited for the disaster team to visit the village.
He said for Sapandai alone three people were injured, 42 houses destroyed and 30 fishing nets for the villagers sank.
According to National Disaster Center director Col Carl Wrakonei, they were still waiting for provincial disaster coordinators to provide reports.
Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki also told this paper that the National Disaster Center was still awaiting assessment to come in from Wewak.

Affected communities waiting on under-resourced emergency agencies to respond with relief assistance

He said based on the report a decision would be made on how relief assistance can be managed, coordinated and delivered to affected people in East Sepik.
While reports are still coming in from ward councilors.
People need temporary shelter, tools for rebuilding, cooking utensils, Water containers, clothing, bedding, personal hygiene items for women and girls, fishing nets and other livelihood items.
That is a priority which the East Sepik Government has embarked on, helping people rebuild their lives.
An initial K500,000 in direct assisted was allocated by the provincial government.