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Villagers Displaced by Ongoing King Tides Await Urgent Government Help 

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Papuan Man

Nabuapaka village in the Kairuku District is among villages along the Central coast currently affected by the King Tides experienced these past few days.

On-going strong winds and high seas have forced about 60 people out of their homes.  

They are now struggling to find shelter and basic necessities.

The community has stepped in to help but many residents are frustrated with the slow response from the Government.

 “We didn’t have time to prepare,” said Allan Aiahu, a community representative.

“The water is rising so fast. We are losing everything.”

A woman in Nabuapaka village looks on as sea water floods her house

As families stay with relatives or in temporary shelters, the Central Provincial Disaster Office has been assessing the damage caused by the rising tides.

Officials have completed their evaluations and are now putting together a report to send to the national government.

This report will explain the needs of the displaced families and the seriousness of the situation.

According to John Iamo, a representative from the Central Provincial Disaster Office, “We are working hard to gather all the necessary information to make sure our report shows what is happening on the ground.”

Local leaders are calling for quick action to meet the urgent needs of those affected.

“We appreciate the community’s efforts to help each other, but we need more support to deal with this crisis,” said Allan Aiahu.

“Families are without food, clean water, and shelter.

 “We need support to move our houses and platforms. The village youths want to help, but they need funding for food and motivation. We also need tarpaulin for shelter, proper water tanks to catch rainwater, and food to get us through this time.”

Papua New Guinea experiences King Tides most often from November to March.

King Tides are exceptionally high tides that occur when the moon is closest to the earth (Perigee).

Weather conditions such as cyclones often intensify the effects of the high tides.

The ongoing threat of Climate Change that is affecting the weather patterns causes more destruction to people living along the coastlines like Nabuapaka. 

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Community

29 Australian Grants awarded to remote South Fly communities

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Man signing

Australia continues to play the big brother role in the Pacific with more grands to support communities in Papua New Guinea. 

This time, it’s the neighbouring South Fly District that shares the border with Australia’s Torres Strait. 

Twenty-nine (29) ward development committee representatives from eight wards in South Fly District, Western Province, signed grant agreements for certain community projects. 

The representatives gathered in Daru from 24 to 28 February for training and induction as part of their final preparations related to their respective PNG-Australia Partnership funded community and economic development grants.

Provincial Administrator Robert Alphonse Kaiyun, Australian High Commission representative Ms Christine Charity and other dignitaries attended the event.

Australian High Commission representative Ms. Christine Charity and Western Provincial Administrator Robert Alphone Kaiyun during the grant agreement signing

Mr Kaiyun congratulated the grantees and thanked Australia, “I would like to acknowledge our close long-term partnership with Australia to deliver on Western Province’s vision to strengthen economic development and build resilient communities. 

I expect the groups receiving these grants to take ownership and work to make their projects succeed.”

Ms Charity was pleased to be in Daru to meet some of the grant recipients in person, and applauded the achievements of the eight community groups from Morehead and Oriomo-Bituri LLGs.

“I am privileged to join the ward and community representatives here in Daru to celebrate today’s signing of the first eight grant agreements, which will support egg production, sawmills, and farm equipment projects.”

“These grant projects will support local communities and people to have money in the pocket and food on the table. 

This is the Western Provincial Government’s top priority, and Australia is proud to be working hand-in- hand and side-by-side with the people of Western Province to reach some of the most remote and hard-to-reach communities.”

In 2024, technical working groups co-chaired by the Australian High Commission and Provincial and District Administrations selected 20 community development and 10 economic grant projects through a competitive application process.

Successful applicants from the Oriomu-Bituri, Morehead, Forecoast Kiwai and Fly Kiwai LLGs demonstrated that their projects would benefit the community, including women and people with disabilities, and contribute 10 per cent of project material costs. 

Local-level governments were closely involved with the applications and committed to assisting grantee communities with part of their contributions.

Mr Sampson Tago, Chairman of Sibidiri Community’s Poultry Management Committee said, “The project will greatly assist in ensuring food and financial security because it is an investment to boost our community’s economic activity.”

Signing on behalf of the Waidoro community, Ward Development Committee Chairman Mr Bazi Kazipam also expressed his happiness, “The Lucas mill project will help us improve our living conditions and develop our forestry sector through creating economic growth and supporting other local and inclusive initiatives.”

The first 8 grants signed were for egg production, sawmills, and farm equipment projects.

The remaining 22 grants for egg production, women’s resource centers, community halls, and bridges will follow in the coming months.

During the grant period, the grantees will continue to receive technical support and skills development to successfully manage and implement their grants.

The High Commission did not reveal the total amount of grand awarded, but each grant depended on the project costs that were submitted.

Successful applicants from the Oriomu-Bituri, Morehead, Forecoast Kiwai and Fly Kiwai LLGs with representatives from the Western Provincial Government and Australian High Commission
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Devastation Strikes Major Fish Farm in Imbonggu District

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Imbonggu Fish farm devastation

Imbonggu district in the Southern Highlands province has been struck by a natural disaster that has left the local community in shock.

Heavy rainfall, compounded by a small earthquake, has wreaked havoc on one of the largest inland fish farms in the Imbonggu area, which was home to an impressive six ponds, including one nearing completion.

Each pond measured 30 meters by 30 meters and housed approximately fifty thousand super tilapia, a vital resource for the community.

Mr. Anjo, the owner of the farm, expressed his devastation upon witnessing the extensive damage caused by the landslide and torrential rains.

“It’s heartbreaking to see what has happened to my farm,” he said, visibly shaken.

Imbonggu Fish Farm Devastation
Imbonggu Fish Farm Devastation
Imbonggu Fish Farm Devastation

The fish farm has not only served as a source of income for Mr. Anjo’s family but has also played a crucial role in supporting unemployed youths in the area.

Furthermore, it has contributed significantly to reducing malnutrition among women and children in the community by providing a steady supply of nutritious fish.

The loss of this vital resource has raised concerns about the future. Mr. Anjo, however, is determined to rebuild.

He stated, “I will be looking for ways to restore my farm, as it is essential for the livelihoods of many in our community.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Mr. Anjo’s resilience embodies the spirit of a community that has always found ways to overcome adversity.

As the community rallies around Mr. Anjo in his time of need, the hope remains that, through collaboration and support, the fish farm can be restored to its former glory, continuing its legacy of sustenance and empowerment.

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Operation Render Safe to commence in East New Britain

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Operation Render Safe

A team lead by the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea is now in East New Britain Province to commence planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.

The team includes Commissioner John Feakes and Defense Adviser, Colonel Travis Gordon together with an Australian Defense Force (ADF) team.

The visit is the first in a series to the province as the ADF works with the Provincial Disaster Centre, PNGDF and the RPNGC to start the planning and preparations for Operation Render Safe.

For two decades Australia has been helping Pacific countries with the safe removal of bombs and small munitions under Operation Render Safe.

At the Ministerial Forum in June 2024, PNG Ministers welcomed Australia’s conduct of Operation Render Safe in East New Britain.

Operation Render Safe in East New Britain
Operation Render Safe in East New Britain

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from WWII is a concern for communities across PNG.

In East New Britain the Provincial Disaster Office has multiple received reports of deteriorated bombs and small munitions discovered in the jungle or unearthed as people clear land for development.

Lieutenant Henry Beri, officer in charge of the PNGDF EOD said “the PNGDF has been working with East New Britain to remove as many munitions as we can, but we need help.”

There is too much for the PNGDF to deal with alone and extra skills and equipment are required to deal with some discoveries such as a very large bomb that washed ashore and is too heavy to move.

“My team are looking forward to working with the ADF to develop our skills.”

In addition to visiting sites where unexploded ordnance has been found, the ADF team, accompanied by LEUT Henry Beri, met with the Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector, Felix Nebanat and CEO of the Provincial Health Authority, Dr Apo Yap.

The ADF will continue to work closely with the PNGDF, RPNGC and authorities in East New Britain to develop and agree a plan for the safe removal of bombs and small munitions.

It is important not to touch or move any suspected bombs and small munitions like bullets.

Communities in East New Britain are encouraged to leave them in place and report the location to the Provincial Disaster Center, located at the Fire Station in Kokopo.

The team was welcomed by the Governor Michael Marum and Provincial Administrator Levi Mano.

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Sexual Health Awareness for June Valley Community

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A community engagement program by the June Valley youths and Marie Stopes PNG saw the successful treatment of ten (10) Sexually Transmitted Infections and nine (9) Family Planning Treatment.

The visit to the June Valley community was an initiated by the Doma Youths Association, a community advocacy group in Tokarara, Port Moresby.

Chairman of Doma Youths Association, Pia Kak said June Valley is a fast growing community and it was important to bring in family health organizations such as Marie Stopes to address unplanned pregnancies and sexual health through awareness and treatment.

He said a lot of youths who are sexually active do not know where or whom to reach out for sexual health information or treatment.

People gathered at a field for sexual health awareness program.
June Valley community congregate for sexual health awareness program.

“Bringing Marie Stopes here we hope to address the stigma in getting family planning for youths who are sexually active. While we don’t encourage teenage sex, it is important that the community knows these services are available.”

Marie Stops Community Based Mobilizer, Bapi Timothy said these awareness programs are provided free of charge in communities throughout the country. He said it only needs the community leaders to reach out to them.

“Our mother’s, sisters and wives are vulnerable to child birth deaths because there isn’t enough spacing, and not enough awareness on basic family planning methods and also having too many children which makes our mothers sisters and wives face child birth complications.

Youths were also advised to seek medical treatment at the earliest when they experience discomfort or discharge at the genitalia.

Mr Kak further thanked the 19 people that were screened by Marie Stopes medical team and treated.

“It is a milestone achievement for Doma Youths Association for partnering with one of the vital service providers in the country,” said Kak.

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Community

IOM and USAID deliver rain catchment materials in Highlands

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IOM

THE International Organization for Migration or IOM has delivered rainwater catchment installation materials to the Kumbal Community in Jiwaka province.

These materials were generously funded by the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA), and was welcomed by the Kumbal community, located at the border of Simbu and Jiwaka provinces, and home to approximately 10,000 people from six council wards.

With the population in the area, the accessibility of water has been an issue, especially for women, children, and the elderly, which has resulted in the collection of drinking water from the muddy Waghi river and nearby creeks.

IOM’s interventions will alleviate water scarcity, and provide quality water, which is very much needed by these communities.

Jiwaka Provincial Disaster Coordinator, John Kupul, acknowledged USAID’s funding assistance, and thanked IOM for being an active partner working closely with his Jiwaka Provincial Administration to improve the resilience of local communities.

“All thanks to the people of America through USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance for this critical assistance to improve community access to safe drinking water. This has been a need for the people of Kumbal,” said Kambiye Tolak, the Councillor for Kumbal Ward 2.

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Community

Community Watch Initiative

By
Doma Youths Association

by Frank Mogona

Youths at June Valley have initiated a neighborhood watch program aimed at creating and maintaining a safe community.

The Doma Youth Association began this program in their Port Moresby community on Monday with the promise to continue the initiative.

Association chairman, Pia Kak told Inside PNG that he wants to create avenues where youths can feel a part of.

“The association will focus on how to create a safe avenue for women and children, and also to continue to provide cleaning services in the community like grass cutting and sweeping,” Kak said.

Doma Youth Association members of June Valley taking part in neighborhood clean-up.

The Doma Youth Association is made up of young men and women who are unemployed and others who are seeking further education opportunities.

He added that had seen enough youths causing problems in their own community, hence that is the reason he came up with the idea of creating an association.

The Doma Youth Association is registered with the Investment Promotion Authorities (IPA) and can be engaged for general services like drainage cleaning and other clean-a-ton programs.

“I want to improve this community by providing the most appropriate action in the community and also to gain trust so the people can engage Doma youth’s in the near future for any general work,” Kak said.

Related: https://insidepng.com/tokarara-youth-embrace-city-watch-project/

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