British deliver relief assistance to MBP

The British High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Paul Eastwood, visited Milne Bay Province at the weekend as part of the United Kingdom’s support for communities affected by Cyclone Maila.

He flew in aboard the Australian Defense Force C127 with relief supplies and met with local disaster officials to hear firsthand what the priority needs are and challenges too.

Britain is the latest nation to have responded with humanitarian aid for cyclone-affected communities in Milne Bay; New Zealand and Australia have done so before this.

His Excellency Paul Eastwood met with acting Provincial Administrator Sharon Mua and officials from the local disaster response unit, eager to hand over relief supplies comprising hygiene kits and rice.

His Excellency Paul Eastwood, British High Commissioner to PNG

He says it was a visit to also hear firsthand from local authorities about priority needs and challenges, especially in how such help can reach isolated communities as such.

He says the UK has an understanding with Australia when it comes to such humanitarian efforts and says they will continue to work closely with them and other partners to support response.

Randal Ganisi, Milne Bay’s acting Disaster Coordinator confirms while there has been overwhelming support for devastated areas in Milne Bay, recovery could take up to 9 months or a year and the need for help will continue the same.

Randal Ganisi, the acting Provincial Disaster Coordinator for Milne Bay.

He confirms they’ve collated data on areas affected and are now positive of where the priority areas are, relief assistance will go out in order of severity and urgency.

While they’ve sent out basic needs with their data collecting team a week ago, these bigger bulk of relief assistance will begin going out to communities this week.