By Patricia Keamo, Cadet Journalist – Port Moresby
The Goodenough Island Development Association is appealing for relief assistance for the estimated 15, 000 people in Goodenough Island in Milne Bay Province who were affected by strong winds that hit the Island last month.
According to reports received this week from village councillors in Goodenough Island, the strong winds have left house destroyed and people homeless facing severe food shortages. Food gardens were destroyed by the winds and families are now resorting to wild yams and coconuts to sustain themselves.
Seven primary and secondary schools have suspended classes and awaiting reconstruction of the classrooms that were destroyed by felled trees.
Kiriwina Goodenough MP, Douglas Tomuriesa, and the Catholic Church in Milne Bay Province have dispatched some relief assistance to the Island but it not enough to sustain the victims and their families for a longer period of time.
The people of Goodenough Island are in dire need of immediate assistance of food, clothing, medicine supplies and materials to rebuild their houses.
Goodenough Island community in Port Moresby have commenced fundraising activities to assist their relatives back at home. They will do a wheelbarrow push throughout the city next weekend to raise funds in support of the disaster victims on Goodenough Island.
