Papua New Guineans have been urged to willingly give with their hearts to support people affected by the ongoing bushfires in Australia.
Minister for Environment and Conservation, Wera Mori, made the call today when announcing the country’s official fundraising drive to support relief efforts in Australia.
Minister Mori was joined by The PNG Hearts for Australia Fire Appeal 2020 Committee.
The PNG Hearts for Australia Fire Appeal 2020 is the official Government fundraising drive to assist the Australian government in relief activities.
The Committee is led by Chairman Paul Nerau and Deputy Samson Komati with Prime Minister James Marape as patron.
Nerau says Australia has always stood by PNG in its development and during its hard times and it was only right to return the favour.
Minister Mori has urged all provincial and district leaders and their people, as well as the private sector, to get behind this cause.
The Committee has set a target of K5 million.
So far the appeal has raised over K100,000 from the following:
1. Wera Mori MP, K5,000
2. Chris Haiveta MP, K5,000
3. Richard Maru MP, K5,000
4. Rex Paki, K5,000
5. Desmond Yaninen, K5,000
6. Sir Fredrick Reiher, K5,000.
7. Sasindran Muthuvel MP, K5,000
8. Karl Yalo, K2,500
9. Ben Lomai, K2,000
10. Gabriel Pepson, K1,000
11. Stanley Komunt, K1,000
12. Richard Yopo, K1,000
13. Paias Alopea, K1,000
14. Janet Sios, K1,000
15. Kopkop College, K1,000
16. Timothy Masiu MP, K50,000
Other support include Sir Michael Bromley who is making available all his helicopter fleet for the Australian Fire Appeal if needed by Government.
An eight-week fundraising timeline has been set and begins on January 13th and ends on March 8th.
(Al Jazeera picture)