Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says the scale of the Highlands earthquake disaster is immense while full recovery will take several years.
The Prime Minister led a delegation of senior disaster coordination officials, security personnel and donor agencies to affected areas in the Southern Highlands and Hela provinces yesterday to oversee a deeper assessment of logistical requirements.
“There will be no quick fix, the damage from this disaster will take months and years to be repaired,” the Prime Minister said from Tari in Hela Province.
“The delivery of clean water, food and shelter remains our priority, as well as the restoration of other essential services including electricity and communications.”
Speaking with people in both provinces, the Prime Minister thanked partners that are working with Government to deliver supplies, medical support and equipment.
“I saw firsthand the massive logistics operation that is being conducted by Government agencies working with the private sector and foreign partners out of Moro Airstrip right now.
“Our disaster management team and the PNGDF are using helicopters provided by Oil Search and MRDC to deliver water, food and medical supplies; many of these supplies had been transported by an Australian Air Force cargo aircraft.”
The Prime Minister said the heartbreak of the destruction is being felt across the affected region.
"Tragically, the Highlands earthquake has already claimed the lives of an estimated more than 100 Papua New Guineans, with many more still missing and thousands of people injured.
"The story one mother and her family was particularly concerning, as she had lost six relatives, including children.
“They were from Yalenda village in Kutubu, and with their village now destroyed, have moved to Kemerova village. This is a story of tragedy and loss that is repeated in village after village throughout the disaster area,” stated the O’Neill.
“The social damage to our communities is large, and this earthquake will be the source of sadness and sorrow for generations to come.”
The PM said people must continue to be vigilant with ongoing aftershocks.
“There was another major aftershock yesterday morning measuring around 6.7 magnitude.
“Aftershocks are likely to continue, and they will cause more damage.
“We flew over major landslips yesterday that were not there last week, but took place yesterday morning.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Australian High Commissioner Bruce Davis; Israeli Foreign Ministry Pacific Islands Advisor, Yaron Sultan-Dadon; Works Secretary David Wereh; Kumul Petroleum Managing Director, Wapu Sonk; MRDC Managing Director, Augustine Mano; Earthquake Emergency Disaster Restoration team leader, Dr. William Hamblin; Oil Search CEO, Peter Botten; and ExxonMobil PNG CEO, Andrew Barry.