Oil Search commits K16 million to earthquake relief

Managing-director of Oil Search Peter Botten announced today that Oil Search will donate up to K16 million (US$5 million) in cash and kind to support disaster relief efforts in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.

Oil Search general manager-stakeholder engagement Leon Buskens assisting to move relief supplies at the Pimaga government station in Southern Highlands province where Oil Search today brought medical supplies, food, water, tarpaulins and sleeping mats. These were supplied by Oil Search and the Australian government.

In supporting Government’s initial efforts, Oil Search has already made its Moro base available as a coordination hub for relief efforts.
Oil Search helicopters and personnel have commenced distribution of initial emergency aid, provided by a range of donors and NGOs and food and supplies donated by Oil
Search, to the hardest hit villages, including Pimaga, where over 2000 people who have lost homes and livelihood are sheltering.

Oil Search general manager-stakeholder engagement Leon Buskens assisting to move relief supplies at the Pimaga government station in Southern Highlands where Oil Search today brought medical supplies, food, water, tarpaulins and sleeping mats. These were supplied by Oil Search and the Australian government.

The damage caused by the recent earthquake is unprecedented,  Botten said: “Communities are without basic necessities.
" We are deeply concerned about the welfare of these communities and are working very closely with the PNG Government’s National Disaster Restoration Team and respective provincial disaster committees to provide assistance, in close partnership with other donors, including the Australia and New
Zealand governments.
"With the important infrastructure in Southern Highlands and Hela so severely impacted by the earthquake, the Moro facilities are an important hub for aid distribution.
"We want to play our part by providing our facilities, people, aircraft, immediate food and relief supplies in helping Government to address the critical needs of our communities in the Highlands.
"Our sympathies and prayers go out to alli mpacted by these tragic events.”

Oil Search general manager-stakeholder engagement Leon Buskens addressing people at Pimaga government station in Southern Highlands where Oil Search today brought medical supplies, food, water, tarpaulins and sleeping mats. These were supplied by Oil Search and the Australian government.

The Australian government has begun to fly in supplies to Moro through Australian Defence Force Hercules planes loaded with water, shelter, medicine, cooking pots, bedding, blankets and other supplies.
New Zealand’s first load of emergency supplies lands tomorrow (Monday).
Oil Search helicopters have commenced distribution of this material to areas across Hela and Southern Highlands.
Trukai Industries has donated 20 tonnes of rice and Oil Search has delivered to Moro over K1 million in food packets that are assembled based on international nutritional guidelines.
Oil Search is also connuing with separate charters loaded with emergency supplies.
These will progressively be distributed to communities in need, over the coming days and weeks.
“We have also responded to calls from the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority for medical assistance by transporting a medical team to Pimaga, along with emergency medical supplies," Bitten said.
"Medical supplies, provided by the PNG Government and flown to Moro by the Australia Defence Force, have now been delivered to Tari Hospital addressing dwindling stocks
"In the meantime, our engineering and construction resources have been sent from Kopi working north and Kutubu working south, to open the Kopi to Kutubu road, as an alternative to the Highlands Highway.
"This road can become an important route for supply of food, fuel and restoration equipment to earthquake-impacted areas.
“We will continue to help authorities, where we can, to address the critical needs of our communities in this
difficult time.”