Red Cross quake update

People from affected communities are still in need of assistance four months after the earthquake in the Highlands and Western provinces.

Assessments conducted on ground by the International Committee of Red Cross and the PNG Red Cross Society found that clean water and shelter are the highest priority needs.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the PNG Red Cross Society have been working with the impacted communities in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of their communities.

The destruction has been far reaching, affecting roads, communication, shelters, schools, medical centres, food and water tanks.

The emergency phase is gradually ceasing with focus now on restoration.

ICRC is also focusing on schools, currently working in Kagua Secondary School and continues major intervention in the severely damaged Koroba Secondary School.

The ICRC has rehabilitated water storage tanks and providing 77,000 and 45,000 litres of clean water in Southern and Hela provinces, emergency household and shelter kits and health assistance.

To date, the National Disaster Centre estimates that over 544,000 people have been affected with more than 270,000 people in immediate need of assistance.

(Loop filepic)

Author: 
Carolyn Ure