Students at the University of PNG’s (UPNG) School of Natural & Physical Sciences are raising funds to buy relief supplies for those greatly affected by the El Nino climate effect.
The students aim to raise as much as they can towards El Nino relief for the worst affected areas in the Highlands region.
They will host a major fundraiser dance event at the Cosmopolitan on October 16 with tickets selling at K35 pre-sold and all funds raised will go towards this worthy cause.
Student representative and Miss UPNG 2015 Mary Konobo says they aim to raise enough funds to cater for essentials such as food and water for the worst affected areas.
“Many of us here come from rural areas and we feel what our people back home are feeling and we are doing this to show our concern for our people,” she said.
As an environmental science student, Mary explained that early El Nino warnings were issued back then in 2012 but very little awareness on preparedness was carried out until the impacts became visible this year.
“Many of our local people were unaware of what measures to take.
“Since nothing was scheduled by the university in previous years to help overcome the effects of El Nino, we decided to come up with this initiative.
“We decided to at least contribute the support and relief of the El Nino victims before the official closure of the university's academic year next month,” she said.
The students urge the public to support their efforts by donating in cash or kind.