Australia announces aid boost for PNG landslide recovery and internal security
The Australian Government announced it will provide a further two million Australian dollars ($1.3 million) to support reconstruction efforts in the region of last month’s major landslide in Papua New Guinea’s mountainous interior
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) — The Australian Government announced Thursday it will provide a further two million Australian dollars ($1.3 million) to support reconstruction efforts in the region of last month’s major landslide in Papua New Guinea's mountainous interior.
The support comes as PNG continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster in the remote Enga province, which the United Nations estimates killed 670 villagers and immediately displaced 1,650 survivors. Papua New Guinea’s government has told the United Nations it thinks more than 2,000 people were buried.
“Road access is critical for essential services as well as food and fuel supply chains,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a written media statement on Thursday which coincided during a visit to the site of the landslide in Mulitaka with PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph and Enga province's Governor Peter Ipatas.
“The additional support of $2 million announced today is in response to PNG’s request to restore connectivity of the Highlands Highway – the transport artery of the region,” she added.
