OIL SEARCH kicked of a major drought relief initiative that will provide much needed food, water and medicine to villages near the company’s project areas yesterday.
Supplies have been sourced and will be distributed to within the company’s project area in Southern Highlands, Hela and Gulf provinces.
The drought relief efforts started in the Kutubu villages of Kaipu and Sisibia, with the distribution of rice bags, tinned fish and noodles to start off with.
The drought initiative will cover 94 villages, 851 wards, 9623 wards and more than 27,000 people in the three provinces.
People who gathered this week to assist receive the relief supplies were grateful and expressed appreciation to Oil Search for coming to their aid in their time of need.
According to the PNG Government, up to 2.5 million people In PNG are affected by the prolonged drought, with the Highlands provinces among the worst affected.
Villagers in Kaipu and Sisibia thanked Oil Search for coming to their aid in their time of need.
They said their traditional water sources dried up over the last five months, and their kaukau gardens has also dried up.
The distribution efforts will continue in Southern Highlands, Hela and Gulf provinces over the next few weeks.