Women and children affected by the two fires at Hanuabada village have learnt to cope with the sudden drastic change in their life.
Vagi Daera, a survivor of the first fire, confirms a number of school children, ranging from primary to secondary school, were among the affected.
He says organisations were quick to make sure the students got necessary supplies and school uniforms.
“The first week they were still traumatised so they didn’t attend school. They have all resumed school now,” he said.
Displaced women and children are the more vulnerable ones, during this time. But Mea Isaac says equal priority is given to see all their needs being met.
She said toiletries including sanitary pads were the immediate relief supplies distributed for their comfort. Even baby diapers and milk.
These are continuously supplied in rations.
Isaac added that the women and girls have adjusted to it (situation) almost very quickly.
“They’re handling it very well, attending to the usual daily tasks. We’re still in a community, so to wash and shower, they go to a relative’s home,” she said.
“We’ve arranged security and curfew for and within the camp area. Children are to sleep by 9pm, the elderly by 11pm.”
Grace Moang, communications coordinator said the committee is at the moment, arranging for groups to run awareness on areas of family planning, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse by next week.
She said church groups have done a few of these talks already.
Isaac also stressed on the need for bibles and motu hymnals and children’s bible story books to help for their rehabilitation process.
In the meantime, a medical centre has been set up with basics such as cough syrups and painkillers.
This, Isaac says is to minimise cost by addressing and containing contagious illness within the campsite.
The extent of the disaster to date: 24 homes were partially destroyed, 18 homes completely destroyed, 80 families affected, totalling to 250 plus individuals being left homeless.