Bougainville Community in Port Moresby delivers relief support for Cyclone Maila response
Bougainvilleans residing in Port Moresby today presented their donation of relief supplies to support communities affected by the recent impacts of Cyclone Maila in Bougainville.
The contributions include support from the Bougainville Students Association at the University of Papua New Guinea, reflecting a collective effort by Bougainvilleans in the nation’s capital to assist families and communities back home.
The donations were formally presented today by the President of the Port Moresby Bougainville Association, Beverly Puton Piawu, to Bougainville State of Emergency Controller, Kearnneth Nanei.
“We are responding to help our families back home,” Mrs Piawu said.
“On behalf of the Port Moresby Bougainville Association, we would like to express to the people of Bougainville through the SOE Controller, that we are there with them and this is our gesture to show that we want to support them.”
Mrs Piawu further indicated that the Association will be launching a crowdfunding initiative to sustain fundraising efforts, noting that this initial contribution marks the beginning of ongoing support throughout the State of Emergency period. She added that the Association will continue to liaise closely with the Disaster Office and the Controller, while acknowledging the support of the National Disaster Centre in coordinating logistics for the delivery of assistance to Bougainville.
National Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Manasseh Makiba, also presented a cheque of K100,000.00 to the Bougainville Disaster Office to support ongoing relief operations.
“I expressed sympathy to the people of Bougainville affected by the cyclone disaster. Our prayers and support are with Bougainville communities who are badly affected,” he said.
The Minister further announced that the National Gaming and Control Board has committed K1 million to the ABG to assist affected communities, with support to be channelled through the Bougainville Disaster Office in coordination with the National Disaster Centre.
Receiving the support, SOE Controller Kearnneth Nanei acknowledged the contributions on behalf of the Autonomous Bougainville Government leadership and people.
“Your commitment to support us at this time of need for our people who have been affected so much; we want to thank you for your generosity and for standing with us and our leadership in the region.”
“I also want to thank our Bougainville community for your generous hearts and thoughts and the support given to your fellow Bougainvilleans in the region.”
Mr Nanei also acknowledged the support from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, as well as United Nations agencies, and commended the strong working relationship with the National Disaster Centre in coordinating and facilitating relief support to Bougainville.
The ABG continues to coordinate response efforts under the current State of Emergency to ensure timely delivery of assistance to affected communities.
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