23 children among 58 displaced SARV victims

An elderly man recovering at Kundiawa General Hospital, was a recent victim attacked in Wenaiyo village of Salt Nomane, Simbu (Image: Supplied)

A total of 23 children are among 58 victims displaced by Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence [SARV] who have received essential food, accommodation, and logistical assistance from the PNG Tribal Foundation to attend court hearings in Kundiawa and Port Moresby.

The PNG Tribal Foundation continues to support families affected by SARV who have been forced to flee their homes and land.

The foundation provides food supplies, lodging, transport, and administrative logistics to enable victims and eyewitnesses to travel from remote villages to court proceedings.

PNG Tribal Foundation president GT Bustin, confirmed that two SARV cases from the Gumine and Chuave districts in Simbu originating in July 2023 remain before the court in Kundiawa.

The foundation provided lodging, food, and transport for victims and eyewitnesses during their stay in Kundiawa, while also supplying fuel to police to transfer witnesses.

In Port Moresby, two SARV cases involving displaced families living in undisclosed locations include 27 victims, 13 of whom are children.

A guardian with a patient at Kundiawa General Hospital last week (Image: Supplied)

In another case, a displaced family of nine, including two parents and six children [the youngest being nine months old] have been provided with food rations and coverage for rental expenses.

Bustin said the organization sponsored airfares for three eyewitnesses and four children traveling on MAF or Niugini Aviation flights to Kundiawa to assist police with investigations into a recent SARV incident in Wenaiyo village, Salt Nomane.

"We have a CID officer who has worked closely on the Karimui case, ensuring all evidence is collected and properly documented for the 15 suspects currently in custody to face the law," Bustin said.

"We are currently monitoring and looking after four injured victims at Kundiawa General Hospital, two guardians, a widow, and another seven people traveling from Karimui to Kundiawa to assist police with investigations."

The foundation is also covering police administrative costs, including stationery, printing, photocopying, and binding required to process court files.

"We have given police our full support over the years, and we appreciate the important work they do in helping innocent victims seek justice," Bustin added.