Villagers awaiting relief

By GYNNIE KERO and MAJELEEN YANEI
AT least seven people have died as villagers in East Sepik affected by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Monday desperately wait for relief supplies.
According to a report from the provincial disaster office, the seven deaths were reported as of Tuesday in Yangoru (one), Wosera-Gawi (two), Angoram (three) and Wewak (one).
Sapandi villager Stanley Augwi in Wosera-Gawi said the tremors were continuing as they waited for a disaster relief team to visit the village.
He told The National yesterday that in Sapandai village alone, three people were injured, 42 houses destroyed and 30 fishing boats sank.
Scores were injured in various parts of East Sepik.
Defence Minister Win Daki yesterday said the National Disaster Centre was still awaiting assessment from officials in Wewak.
He said based on their report, a decision would be made on how relief assistance would be managed, coordinated and delivered to affected people. Kirimbit villager Anthony Kesasaman, in Chambri Lakes, where the epicentre was located, said they felt the tremor.
“Today (yesterday) at around 11am, the aftershock was felt for a few seconds,” he said.
“I have never experienced such in my area.
“On Monday, all our houses were continuously shaking for about 15 to 20 minutes followed by the aftershocks throughout the day till 1pm.
“Three communities in Chambri- Kirimbit, Wombun and Indigai fled to the waterfront at Pagwi on Monday.
“Some moved to Nyaurange, a village in front of Chambri.”
Kesasaman said the few who remained at the village had to stay awake.
Their village is situated between two large mountains called Imbanakuan and Timbun.
“They live without food, water being the only means of survival.
“They are afraid of using their canoes at this time,” he added.
A representative from the provincial disaster office, Percy Kambui, visited Kirimbit village on Tuesday and explained to the people to expect more aftershocks.