Church urges govt to request overseas help

The Catholic Church says the Government must request urgent help now from overseas to stop the suffering of over 2 million people affected by the prolonged drought in the country.

Sister Mary McCarthy of the Catholic Education said media reports had shown just how much of an impact the drought has had with men, women and children starving, getting sick and dying.

She said requesting the help of Australia through the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is one way relief supplies can get to the hard-hit communities within a short time.

“It has the capacity including helicopters to reach almost any community in PNG and its mission is to respond immediately when disaster strikes.

“This drought is so much worse than in 1997. Some rain has allowed planting but the people report that any food grown is infected by insects or rats. Imagine how the hopes of these communities have been crushed,” said McCarthy.

She added that it was worrying that even the Prime Minister’s Department admits that supplies have not been reaching the people in the remotest places.

“A recent assessment in PNG has found that about 800,000 people live in areas that are critically lacking food.

“The report concludes that the drought situation is getting worse. The picture painted in the media of the suffering in Nomad, Western Province – one of many inaccessible places – is heart breaking. The Prime Minister must act now,” said McCarthy.

Author: 
Troy Taule