Australia is working on how it can best help Papua New Guinea following a catastrophic landslide that’s feared to have killed hundreds of people.
The United Nations migration agency estimates more than 670 people have died, and are buried beneath the rubble in a remote part of the country’s Enga province.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said government officials have been in discussions with their PNG counterparts about support since the disaster occurred on Friday.
“This is an absolute tragedy,” he told ABC’s RN on Monday.
“I know that every Papuan New Guinean today will be feeling it, as every Australian today is feeling it on their behalf,” he said.
“Ours are two countries which are very, very close together, and in moments of natural disaster, they have been very, very quick to support us, and we are doing the same thing.”
The head of the International Organisation for Migration in PNG Serhan Aktoprak said the conditions on the ground were hampering rescue and aid efforts.
Rocks were still falling from the mountain, soil was cracking and water was flowing under the debris.
“We’re just hoping that in the remaining short window of time that we have, we can at least contribute to the relief efforts in saving some more lives,” Mr Aktoprak said.
“But unfortunately, it (time) is not on our side.”
Mr Marles said the “exact nature of the support” that Australia could give will be finalised in the coming days, with airlift capacity to help get people to the site.
“We’ve been talking to the PNG government about the assistance that we can provide, and it’s just now a matter of working out exactly what we can do in the context of this occurring in a very remote part of the country,” he said.
Nationals Leader David Littleproud said PNG was Australia’s “closest neighbour and closest friend”.
“It’s important that whatever they need, we’re there to support them,” he told reporters in Canberra.
A spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply saddened” by the reported loss of hundreds of lives.
“He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expresses his solidarity with the people and government of Papua New Guinea,” the spokesperson said.
“The United Nations and its partners are supporting the government’s response efforts.
“The Secretary-General underscores that the United Nations stands ready to offer additional assistance at this challenging time.”
Source: AAP
