ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS DELAYS RELIEF FUNDING FOR EL NIÑO-AFFECTED WAU-WARIA
By Bradley Mariori
Wau-Waria District has completed its El Niño drought assessment, identifying 63,756 people from 14,394 households affected across all 43 wards.
The completion of the assessment paves the way for the release of K2.5 million in relief funding to assist affected communities.
However, the District Development Authority (DDA) is still finalising the assessment reports and accountability requirements needed to justify the release of the funds.
Wau-Waria MP Marsh Narewec said the delay was not solely a banking issue but was also about ensuring public funds were spent on verified needs.
“The K2.5 million is accessible but not accessed yet due to this assessment. We have to submit the assessment report to justify release of payments. It’s not a Tucker Box where we hand out cash or make payment anyhow,” Narewec said.
The assessment was conducted by the Wau-Waria District El Niño Response Committee, established under the leadership of Narewec as DDA Chairman. The committee covered Wau Urban, Wau Rural and Waria Local Level Governments (LLGs).
The findings identified severe drinking water shortages, food insecurity, crop losses and associated health risks as major impacts of the prolonged drought.
With the assessment completed, the district is now finalising distribution plans and procuring relief supplies, including water containers, water filters, food rations, basic medical supplies and bore water installations.
Priority will be given to the hardest-hit and most vulnerable communities.
On accountability and transparency, Narewec said the Response Committee comprises LLG managers, program managers, government officers, business houses, churches and community representatives.
The committee is responsible for ensuring relief assistance is distributed fairly and according to the severity of needs.
Narewec acknowledged ward councillors, LLG officers, assessment teams and communities for their cooperation in completing the exercise.
He added that the completed assessment was a critical step towards meeting national requirements for accessing and utilising the relief funds, while affected communities continue to await assistance.
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