Australia is holding out hope for Papua New Guinea following a deadly landslide, with assistance already under way, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Source: SBS News.
PNG’s National Disaster Centre said more than 2000 people had been buried alive by Friday’s landslide in the remote Enga province.
The Albanese Government will send technical experts and $2.5 million in initial aid as the death toll continues to rise.
Mr Albanese said Australia would stand alongside Papua New Guinea following the natural disaster.
“We hold out hope for Papua New Guinea, we hold out hope for the missing and strength to those who are now so desperately searching in what is an unimaginable tragedy,” he told Parliament yesterday.
“All Papua New Guineans are suffering in the wake of this terrible disaster, and we hold them in our hearts.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong tweeted last night that Australia’s Disaster Assistance Response Team had landed in PNG, ready to help.
“We are working closely with PNG authorities on the ground, and stand ready to respond to additional requests for assistance,” she said.
Australian defence forces have already been working alongside PNG counterparts as part of relief efforts.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said defence personnel were working to transport 750 family-sized shelters to the site of the disaster.
Mr Albanese said PNG is “is our nearest of neighbours and our closest friends, we stand with each other through the good times and the bad”.
Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said the support provided by Australia was only an initial contribution, and more aid would flow at the request of PNG’s government.
Meanwhile, Caritas Australia has launched an appeal to support its partners in Papua New Guinea and those affected by the landslide. Details: www.caritas.org.au/PNG
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Australia stands alongside PNG after landslide: PM (By Andrew Brown and Tess Ikonomou, AAP via Canberra Times)
