Published at 11:00am
While the nation focused its attention on Hela, Southern Highlands and the areas at the epicenter of the February 26 monster quake, areas in Western Province within the quake radius experienced a different kind of disaster.
Speaking to villagers in Nomad, Lake Murray and later the Western provincial disaster coordination team in Kiunga, it was obvious that something must be done to combat and if possible reverse the I’ll effects of water pollution directly caused by the landslips that are still visible.
“Thousands of tons of debris and mountainous terrain were emptied into the rivers causing a flood that destroyed gardens, killed fish, diverted river systems and rendered the water undrinkable.
“As we stand, a total of 18,258 have been confirmed to have been affected in one of the afore mentioned ways.
” That’s exactly 116 villages that are in serious need of relief,” said Western disaster coordinator Philip Garuat.
It was mentioned during the meet that about 400 water tanks would be supplied, with water purification tablets.
Furthermore, about 60 tons of food was said to be planned for Western Province alongside a restart kit – which will contain buckets, spades and other implements to get small scale reconstruction going.
He said that logistics was a nightmare in the province but that it was the people that were important and that the supplies would still be brought through.
“The responsibility once the supplies arrive will be on you, the provincial government and disaster coordination team,” said Dr Hamblin.