WHP priorities water and food

Western Highlands Province is prioritising access to clean drinking water and food supplies as the effects of El Nino continue to threaten communities in the province.

With rivers and creeks drying up, traditional food sources declining and local markets running short of produce, the provincial disaster committee says providing water and food must be the first priority in the ongoing response.

Western Highlands Provincial Administrator and Provincial Disaster Committee Chairman, Joseph Mangbil, says the immediate concern is ensuring people have access to their basic necessities before addressing other impacts of the prolonged dry conditions.

"First and foremost, we have to look at the people's water sources, which are now running short or drying up, and their food supply.

"Our rivers and creeks have dried up, food sources are also drying up, and markets are becoming empty. We must take proactive steps to provide water and food for our people during this time," stressed Mangbil.

Mangbil says the provincial administration has held discussions with several supermarkets in town on how rice supplies could be delivered to affected communities.

However, he says accurate information from the districts and communities is critical to ensuring food reaches the people who need it most.

He has urged responsible officers to act quickly and provide the necessary data to support the distribution of food rations in the province.

The Provincial Disaster Chairman adds now that El Nino funding has reached the province and the four districts, district administrations must move from planning to implementation.

He stressed districts need to identify the most affected communities, organise food rationing and establish reliable water access points.

These may include water tanks and bore-water systems installed in accessible communal locations such as schools, marketplaces and ples singsing areas, allowing people from surrounding communities to collect water.

Mangbil iterate that the response must be practical and reach people at the community level, particularly those whose normal sources of drinking water and food have been affected by the dry conditions.

He has reiterated that securing food and water supplies remains the province's immediate priority.

Other concerns, including health services and possible school closures, will be addressed as part of the wider El Nino response.

For now, Mangbil says the focus is on ensuring communities have access to the two essentials they need most to get through the dry period: safe drinking water and food.