Earthquake Response – Papua New Guinea (as of 15th March)
Following the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Papua New Guinea on February 26th and the many strong aftershocks, MAF PNG has been working hard to bring relief, supplies and medical assistance to those affected.
Below are the latest information and some stories sourced from our team on the ground, as of 15th March 2018.
The Latest
Between 05 March and 10 March, a helicopter funded by OTML (OK Tedi Mining Ltd) flew program specialist Anton Lutz to more than twenty-four (24) destinations in the areas hit by the earthquakes, visiting more than 6351 people at those locations and determining the extent of the damage from Wasana in the south to Tinahae in the north. Lutz was able to interview the people, assess their situation, conduct limited search and rescue operations where needed, locate persons thought to be dead, rescue persons left for dead, transport patients to the health centre at Mougulu and deliver essential food, water and shelter to hundreds of people.
There are about three thousand five hundred (3,500) people living at six newly forming care centres. At least twenty thousand people (20,000) in the affected area now live in unstable and dangerous housing. These people’s water supplies have been damaged and, in some cases, people have no choice but to drink polluted water. A percentage of gardens have sustained not only landslides but damage to fences, and now pigs have invaded the gardens while the people gather at the care centres. Extensive landslides have made rivers unpredictable and dangerous at this time and many people must cross rivers to get from their gardens to their houses. Health centres have collapsed. Many other aid posts are not staffed or supplied.
In short, while this disaster has affected some people more than others, lives are at risk and will continue to be so for the months to come.
- MAF continues to work with SIL Aviation in delivering aid (food, water, shelter). These goods are at Mt. Hagen and are being distributed by MAF and SIL amongst the villages.
- Many donations have been received from local businesses and organisations – including one group from the Hela province who have rallied together and gathered four tonnes of goods. MAF is coordinating with these organisations, the defence forces and other interested parties to work out whether we can assist with distribution, or advise on where it should be distributed.
- Over the past few days, rain has hampered our efforts to deliver to Bosavi.
- MAF made deliveries on the 13th to Yehebi, Habi and Fuma.
- Australian Defence Force: “The 200 photos from the early MAF survey flight definitely shaped our understanding of the disaster in the start, more than any other sources we had.” MT Hagen ADF Coordinator
- Huya airstrip is closed due to ground damage. Cracks are filling with water and sediment and the erosion will continue until they’re fixed.
Update from Andrea Rominger
Andrea Rominger, who came to assist with administrations and communication for the earthquake, was able to join our MAF Caravan pilot Mike Dupuis on a flight to Fuma.
“It was great to see where the help went to and why it is so needed. The photos show the fresh water problem these villages deal with as landslides make the water extremely dirty. The people in Fuma where so thankful to receive another load of relief supplies. I also witnessed MAF’s close cooperation with SIL who are helping to distribute relief goods out of our Mt Hagen base.”
Shout out to Mt Hagen Base Staff
A big shout out to our amazing staff at our Mt Hagen base!
There is a lot of loading, paperwork and sorting involved to get the donated relief supplies out to the villages affected by the earthquake!
Do you see the smiles on their faces? It’s just amazing to see everyone lending a hand to help those in need.
To support MAF’s Emergency Relief efforts please donate here: https://maf.org.au/png-earthquake/
Earthquake Response – Papua New Guinea: As of 11th March CLICK HERE
Earthquake Response – Papua New Guinea: As of 7th March CLICK HERE
Earthquake Response – Papua New Guinea: As of 6th March CLICK HERE
Earthquake Response – Papua New Guinea: As of 1st March CLICK HERE