Southern Highlands and Gulf provinces continue to experience adverse effects due to frequent rainfall in recent weeks.
Massive inundations, continuous landslips and road blockades are evident in these areas, which have hampered service delivery and livelihoods.
Last week, Prime Minister Peter O&rsquO’Neill announced that the government had committed K5 million to affected sites, but the National Disaster Centre is yet to receive this funding.
Meanwhile, NDC has received on-ground assessment reports, but the distribution of relief supplies to Southern Highlands and Gulf may take some more time.
Six hundred thousand kina has already been dispersed by NDC, while Southern Highlands Governor William Powi has allocated K500, 000 for his affected people.
Prime Minister Peter O&rsquO’Neill committed K5 million last week, but NDC Executive Director Martin Mose said his department is yet to receive the funding.
Affected sites in Gulf province are confirmed to receive relief supplies that are currently on board MV Kikori, which will disembark in two days.
The supplies, worth 60 tonnes, will cater to at least 11, 000 affected people in Baimuru LLG with more supplies to be given to East Ihu, and East and West Kikori, including Central Kerema.
Southern Highlands, on the other hand, are yet to receive their relief supplies. The Disaster Centre has attributed the delay to the bad weather Southern Highlands is currently experiencing, but ensured that an assessment report has been received and programs are in place to assist over 30, 000 people in Imbongu, Ialibu/Pangia, Nipa Kutubu and Kagua Erave.
With more rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the National Disaster Centre believes the situation on the ground may potentially worsen and more will have to be done to alleviate the effects of what’s to come.
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