By Staycey Yalo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
It has been exactly two months, since the 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the Hela and Southern Highlands provinces on February 26 this year.
Red Cross PNG through the support of International Federation of Red Cross Crescent Societies responded to Hela and Southern Highlands provinces two days after the earthquake shook PNG. The effects of the tremor displaced thousands of families causing confusion and fear in the lives of many Papua New Guineans, especially in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.
Red Cross PNG’s quick response through their Disaster Response Emergency Fund sent a team with the Government’s Disaster Management team to assess Hela and Southern Highlands.
Although many rural areas were inaccessible by road, Red Cross PNG Secretary-General, Mr. Uvenama Rova, said Red Cross received support from Hevilift, a helicopter company, who assisted them aid many families in the most remote parts of Hela Province.
Last Monday, a Red Cross team based in Hela for the past two months arrived in Port Moresby but Mr. Rova said, there is still major work to be done. Reports that have reached Red Cross also revealed that Balimo in the Western Province is in dire need of aid after the quake.
The funding that has come through from many organisations and countries have helped Red Cross continue its efforts in many parts of the earthquake-affected provinces.
