PNGDF ordered to respond to quake

PNG's Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, has ordered the Chief of the Defence to initiate an immediate response to the earthquake yesterday morning in the Highlands.

"Defence Force personnel in Hela, Southern Highlands and Western Highlands provinces are preparing to deploy when the extent of the damage has been confirmed and targeted relief operations initiated,” stated the PM in a statement.

"There are communities that have suffered from this natural disaster, and we are sending our soldiers and other Government agencies to support our people in their time of need.

"We know that there have been houses lost, roads cut by land slips and a disruption to services.

"At 6am Tuesday (today) air operations will continue to assess the affected areas.”

O’Neill further said the PNG Defence Force has a Constitutional obligation to provide support to provincial governments and the National Disaster Centre to assess the damage and play a significant part in the response.

"Defence Force men and women are well trained in this capacity and are eager to get their boots on the ground to lend support,” said the PM.

"Our people can be heartened that response will be properly planned and will be effective.

"Additional details will be made available as further assessments are provided by the National Disaster Centre and the PNGDF."

(The aftermath of Monday’s earthquake at Komo airport – Picture courtesy of Titus Oaeke)

Author: 
Press release