EL NINO RELIEF ASSISTANCE COVERS KAVIENG OUTER ISLANDS

CAPTION: Rollout of relief supplies to Tigak and Djaul Islands in Tikana LLG of Kavieng, New Ireland.

THE Tigak and Djaul Islands are the last of the outer Islands of Kavieng district in New Ireland to have received El Niño relief supplies from the New Ireland Provincial Government as of yesterday.

This also signals the completion of the phased El-Nino relief assistance prioritizing outer most affected Islands of New Ireland covering Murat and Lovongai LLGs and wards 1, 2, 17 and 18 of Tikana LLG in Kavieng.

So far the New Ireland Provincial Government continued second-batch delivery of El Niño relief supplies to island communities has reached more than 1,800 households across the Tigak and Djaul islands.

Acting New Ireland Provincial Administrator Dennis Kosam has indicated that the outer Islands are most affected and so consideration is given to them foremost despite efforts planned to cover the rest of New Ireland province eventually.

Governor Byron Chan said reaching the island communities was a priority for his government, particularly as families continued to face the challenges brought about by El Niño conditions.

“Our island communities must not be forgotten simply because they are separated by the sea. They are part of New Ireland, and they deserve the same attention and support as every other community in our province,” Governor Chan said.

“Getting relief supplies to island communities requires careful planning, transportation and coordination with local leaders. We have been working with the respective LLGs, ward councillors and community representatives to ensure that the supplies reach the households they are intended for,” Kosam said.

Mr. Kosam said the administration was now preparing to extend the program to other island communities in the province.

“Our work is not finished. With the Kavieng island communities now covered under this phase, our attention will move to the Tabar group of islands in Central New Ireland, followed by the islands under Nimamar and Tanir LLGs in Namatanai District,” Kosam said.

He alerted that actual rollout dates for the next batch distributions would be announced once transportation and logistical arrangements had been finalized.