Relocation plans needed

 By BENNY GETENG

THE country has no policy for resettlement and relocation of citizens in the event of disaster, an official said.

Kaigabu Kamuamaya, the National Disaster Centre assistant director for crisis management, said: “PNG needs the policy in place to cater for natural disaster victims in the country.

“We need a policy in place for the resettlement and relocation of our citizens in the event they are affected by a natural disaster.”

For example, the Manam Island volcano victims were relocated to Madang after their island was hit by a volcano in the 1990s, he said.

He said they had since petitioned the Government to be properly relocated to a permanent location to reside and settle in. 

 “Yes, we do have a PNG national risk and disaster management plan in place which was approved by the National Executive Council but it only caters for the processes that are able to reach victims in terms of relief supplies,” Kamuamaya said.

“Disaster is a developmental issue.  The centre coordinates, mentors and advises the provincial, district and local levels of governments.

“The centre is a division under the department of provincial and local level government affairs.

“The centre also has international to national and local government connections that it can promote sustainability by integrating through rapid response in the event of a natural disaster in the country.”