Water provided for government institutions and communities in Tari

Two 10,000-litre water trucks are now operational in Tari, delivering emergency water to critical institutions and communities affected by the prolonged El Niño drought.

The trucks are on the road daily, visiting schools, health facilities, churches, and communities to refill water tanks and containers.

The drought has devastated communities across the country. In Hela, all small creeks have dried up, leaving many families without access to safe water.

Hela Governor Philip Undialu said the water trucks are part of the Provincial Government’s immediate response. He also announced that additional water trucks and a specialised water drilling rig are expected to arrive soon.

"The Hela Provincial Government will continue investing in sustainable water infrastructure to safeguard our communities from the impacts of the El Niño drought and from future disasters," he said.

Governor Undialu recently announced the successful activation of Hela Province’s first bore water system under the government’s El Niño preparedness and emergency water response plan.

The reactivated bore will provide a reliable source of clean water for Tari Hospital, Tari Township, and surrounding communities throughout the current dry spell.

The Governor thanked the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, for its technical support in restoring the bore system.

"I thank CCECC for its valuable support. Their contribution has strengthened Hela’s emergency response capacity and will ensure our hospital and town have water security during this drought," he stated.

He stressed that the bore project and the incoming drilling rig will expand groundwater access across the province, reducing reliance on surface water sources that dry up during El Niño.

He said water security will remain a priority as Hela prepares for more frequent climate-related disasters.