Alotau District comes to aid of Samarai Murua

In a show of solidarity, Alotau District has released funding to assist the first response team from Alotau to cyclone affected areas in the coming week.

Alotau Open MP Ricky Morris says on humanitarian grounds, there are no boundaries to showing support when it comes to disasters.

As Tropical Cyclone Maila slowed to a category 1 cyclone on Saturday, predictions are that it will stabilize, and Milne Bay’s Provincial Emergency Operating Team is now gearing up to head out for assessments in the new week.

This is where MP Morris and his Alotau District team are taking first dibs, they say it’s also in line with their attempts to setup a district emergency response committee as news of devastation and destruction become more real within mainland Alotau as Tropical Cyclone Maila, now a category 1 cyclone, gets closer to home.

A further K50,000 was also presented to assist the Provincial Emergency Operating Center for coordination, and they’ve set aside K100,000 for their Alotau District response to devastation within their district.

It’s a move welcomed by the people of Murua, Yeleyamba and Lousiaide LLG’s who have been in direct line of the destructive Cyclone Maila the last two weeks.

Morris, meanwhile, took the time to also stress the importance of a coordinated effort in reporting and response, alluding to the Prime Minister’s call for a whole of government approach to addressing this disaster.

Acting Provincial Administrator Sharon Mua, in supporting the Provincial Emergency Operating Center and its coordination efforts, welcomed the help and leadership by Alotau District, urging similar support from other members of Milne Bay