Thank you for the help

ON behalf of the Yalanda communities and members of my family, I wish to take this opportunity to express my deepest and heartfelt appreciation to Oil Search managing director Peter Botten and his hard-working team, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Mineral Resources Development Company managing-director Augustine Mano, Kumul Petroleum Holdings managing director Wapu Sonk, Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis, Israeli foreign ministry, Works Secretary David Wereh and the earthquake emergency disaster restoration team.
A special appreciation my people and I is extended to the Oil Search management and its field teams for enabling the timely relief visits to the devastated sites in both Southern Highlands and Hela.
Oil Search is also commended for the coordination of the high-profile visit of dignitaries to Moro and then over to Yalanda and Kekero for them to see firsthand the tragic events in our communities.
If it was not for Oil Search’s prompt response and coordination, not much attention would have given in the relief efforts to my people. Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, your presence and compassion in our time of despair will not be forgotten and your support through the Government relief programme is commended. To our long-time friends Australia and New Zealand, your support through aid and logistics is truly appreciated in our time of need.
The earthquake has taken away our home and our livelihood and things will never be the same again.
We the people of Yalanda are looking towards the future and prepared to rebuild our lives.
We understand it will be a long process but with the help of all stakeholders like Oil Search, the national Government, international partners and NGOs, we are prepared.

Richard Don
Community leader and concerned citizen
Yalanda village
Lake Kutubu