By Staycey Yalo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Japan-Papua New Guinea Association today donated K21,730 to the PNG Red Cross, to carry out its earthquake relief efforts in the Highlands Region. The funding from Japan follows three other financial supports received earlier this year to support the earthquake relief activities in PNG.
Japanese Ambassador to PNG, Satoshi Nakajima, say this gesture is an appreciation from Japan to the people of PNG for the friendship and the support PNG has shown over the years, even during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.
According to General Secretary of PNG Red Cross, Mr. Uvenama Rova, Red Cross was the first organisation to have been on the ground in the Highlands since the earthquake of February 26. The people of Japan, through its association in PNG, saw that Red Cross would use the funds to purchase goods for victims of earthquake effectively.
Although little, his Excellency, Satoshi Nakajima, says it is from the heart of the Japanese people. Despite the challenges Red Cross is facing in reaching out to the very remote communities in the earthquake-stricken Highlands region, Mr. Rova says, an acquittal will be provided for the money given. Upon receiving the cheque, he presented a drafted action plan to the Japan-PNG Association on how the funds will be used.
Mr. Udaya Regmi from the International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, who has recently reopened its office in Port Moresby, also thanked the people of Japan for their support.
