Aid effort launched
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
WITHIN hours of the disaster being reported, authorities in Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand began a massive aid oper ation. Three RAAF and one New Zealand airforce Hercules aircraft loaded with relief and medical supplies were airborne within 24 hours and an Australian army field hospital was also sent to the stricken region.
“We’re aiming to get the aircraft into Vanimo (the provincial capital situated nearby) where there are now many hundreds of people who need urgent treatment,” said Australian Defence Force Spokesman Col Keith Jobson.
New Zealand's PNG High Commissioner, Nigel Moore told NZPA that PNG officials had asked for assistance.
Foreign Affairs minister Don McKinnon said: “It's clear that there is a tremendous number of people with injuries as a result of being knocked around - broken limbs, broken backs, that sort of thing.” Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said no effort would be spared to help the villagers rebuild their homes and their lives.
“If there are villages to be rebuilt or people to be moved to other areas. I don’t doubt that we’ll have to provide some assistance with that.” ■