Relief supplies rotting in Vanimo

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A COMMUNICATION breakdown between the Emergency Disaster Restoration Team (EDRT) and the National Disaster and Emergency Services has resulted in relief supplies donated by Indonesians rotting away in Vanimo.
Martin Mose, the acting National Disaster and Emergency Services director told The National yesterday that he had sent a letter to Dr Bill Hamblin about the relief supplies for the earthquake victims in Southern Highlands, Hela, Enga, Gulf and Western last year.
“But I believe my letter didn’t reach him.”
Mose said his officer had passed the letter to the Emergency Disaster Restoration Team’s office.
“I did meet with Jayapura-base PNG Consular-General Geoffrey Wiri in my office and he informed me of the relief supplies that were bought by Indonesians in Sentani and brought across the PNG-Indonesian border to West Sepik in May 2018.
“Unfortunately, my office was unable to airlift the relief supplies from Vanimo to Mt Hagen because of no funds. So I did inform Dr Hamblin’s office to airlift the relief supplies. Unfortunately, he did not receive my letter.”
The supplies are being stored at the Sun Bird Airways hanger at the Vanimo airport.
Sun Bird Airways chief executive officer Captain David Inau this week said he had been requesting the transport coordinator of the Emergency Disaster Restoration Team since May 2018 to collect the supplies.
However, Dr Hamblin said he did not know the transport coordinator who was communicating with Captain Inau. He said no such person was working with him and his staff.
“There are lots of claims for various purposes that are submitted to my office.”
Dr Hamblin said he was liaising with relevant bodies to determine if supplies could still be used.
“If so they will be transported to assist the flood victims in Green River in West Sepik.”
He said the rotting of the supplies was an example of what happened when supplies were donated outside the normal channels.