By Vanessa Knight – EM TV News
Relief supplies for drought and frost affected areas have been delivered to distribution points and will continue until the El Nino climate issue is resolved.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said response to the disaster has been carefully managed to ensure relief supplies reach families and communities who are in need.
K25 million kina has been allocated by the NEC to provide immediate relief to affected communities, half of which has already been used to purchase food supplies in the form of rice and canned tuna, and distributed to the areas of Tambul, Mendi, Enga, Simbu, Menyamya, and across the Southern Highlands Province.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, said advancement in communication has enabled relief delivery to be much more efficient compared to the country’s1997 drought scenario.
The next phase will now look at preparations to replant seeds when rain arrives, while at the same time several areas affected by frost but continues to retain adequate water sources, are already replanting and will harvest crops in coming weeks.
Other areas at risk of facing water shortage have been identified and authorities are working on options to provide viable solutions.
