by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Southern Highlands Disaster Chairman, Charles Maru, has reported that five people from the region’s Kagua District have died after drinking contaminated water.
According to reports of the five deceased, two are women and three men. One mother is from Asumawi village in Aiya LLG, while the other is from Tulere village in the Kagua Central LLG.
Two of the men are from Sumbura village in Kagua Central LLG, while the other man is from Mapaita village in the Aiya LLG.
Miru confirmed the deaths after conducting a check on food relief supplies this past Saturday near Erave.
It was by chance that the chairman happened to go past a funeral procession, and learnt that the cause of death was contaminated drinking water.
Meanwhile, in other drought related news, food rations in the eastern part of Southern Highlands are being delayed due to a slow release of funds for logistics. This includes Lalibu, Pangia, Kagua, Erave, Lalibu Basin LLG and Imbongu Proper LLG.
The deaths are the first reported cases in the eastern part of the province since the disaster started.
