The National Government is working around the clock with local authorities on ground in areas impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila, to ensure relief assistance gets to the affected communities right away.
Prime Minister Marape confirmed that the National Government is working closely with Provincial Administrations, District Authorities, and Local-Level Governments to ensure timely and coordinated Relief efforts.
“We will offer assistance as much as possible and ensure that our people are not left stranded,” he said.
The Government has begun mobilizing essential Relief supplies, prioritizing immediate humanitarian needs such as:
Food Rations
Clean Water Supply
Temporary Shelter and Building Materials
Medical Supplies
“Our priority is to help our people pick up their lives again, starting with immediate food relief, water supply, medical assistance, and accommodation support,” the Prime Minister stated.
He emphasized that while Reports are still coming in, Government will ensure no community is missed: “At the moment, Reports are still coming in and are scattered, but we will make sure we reach every place, every island, and every community that has been affected.”
Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged international goodwill, noting that assistance has been offered by Development Partners.
“We have received indications of support from the Australian Government and Partners such as Starlink, and we are processing and mobilizing this assistance.”
Meanwhile, the Australia government has released an initial $1 million (K3,093,157.28) in support for Papua New Guinea to respond to humanitarian needs arising from the impact of the cyclone, with a particular focus on regions most heavily impacted including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and islands affected in Milne Bay Province.
This initial funding comes from a total of $2.5 million the Australia will provide for humanitarian assistance to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to support their responses to Tropical Cyclone Maila.
Australia will work closely with the Governments of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to coordinate the effective delivery of this assistance and support local response efforts.
