Oil Search earthquake relief aid reaches more than 70,000 people in PNG

More than 70,000 people in earthquake affected areas in Hela, Southern Highlands, parts of Gulf and Western provinces in Papua New Guinea  have to date received earthquake relief supplies from Oil Search Limited.

Oil Search emergency response teams have been visiting different villages, providing relief assistance, on the ground medical treatment, conducting village assessments and medevacking critically ill patients.

“Our rapid assessments of damages and needs have shown that a significant number of villages experienced food insecurity with gardens destroyed, water supplies contaminated by sedimentation and debris from the quake, homes and infrastructure, including roads, and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed,’’ Managing Director Peter Botten said.

Mr Botten said he company then mobilised aid efforts out of its Moro Camp and established an emergency relief coordination centre.

“Within this centre, we have a team of people who receive supplies of food, water, shelter, and medicine received from a range of donors and ensure these are properly packed according to the international emergency guidelines, ready for distribution,’’ Mr Botten said.

He said that as of March 13, Oil Search helicopters have made over 86 village drop offs, moving over 70 tonnes of material to Moro and delivered almost all of that already to our communities. Over 10 tonnes of medical supplies have been delivered to health facilities across Hela, Southern Highlands and parts of Western and Gulf Provinces.

The company has treated more than 80 people and medevacked seven patients to Port Moresby, five to Mendi and Tari hospital each.