World Bank asked to Recall US $50M Loan Obtained for Earthquake Disaster

Posted on Legend FM

TARI, HELA PROVINCE; It’s been almost a year and moneys received for 7.5 magnitude earthquake has never reached the affected provinces and victims. The US$50M World Bank Loan obtained for the 7.5magnitude earthquake has been misapplied by Government of PNG.

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Additional K106m from donations disappeared in Waigani. World Bank has to recall it’s US$50M Loan and blacklist Government of Papua New Guinea or else we will hold you accountable for this deceitful act against vulnerable earthquake disaster victims.

It’s almost over 1year and we cannot tolerate the blame game between Treasury, Finance and PM’s Office. The Governor said he was called into Deputy Prime Ministers Office and confirmed receipt of loan. He was asked to go to Prime Minister’s Office. After meeting with PM Finance Secretary was then asked to open a Trust Account with Hela Provincial Administrator to counter sign.

One year gone by and no one knows where the money is gone. Trust Account was never opened. This is a crime against humanity and trust World Bank will not allow this to happen.

Its almost 1 year and this shameful act should be exposed. The K450m promised has never being fulfilled. Even 2019 budget has nil allocation for earthquake disaster. If we cannot look after our people at times like this, what other better time can we?

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"I cannot allow people profiting from 150 deaths, 150, 000 made homeless and entire infrastructure collapsed. Hela Provincial Government only received K1.5m to date. So, am asking were has US$50M or K200m World Bank Loan gone?", stressed Governor Undialu.

Go to this link for more: https://www.legendfm.net/blog/world-bank-is-hereby-asked-to-recall-the-us-50m-loan-obtained-for-the-7-5m-earth-disaster?fbclid=IwAR02Wg-79cJWNwOIgcfPjTdTzFY7T3NcDLY_JkpdrhbCnjtITaByRLA08C0

Hela women packing new life for earthquake victims

Posted on The National

 Port Moresby-based Hela women with support from their spouses and children, families and friends have been working together to organise relief assistance for their people affected by the Feb 26 earthquake.
The Hela Inaka group, with Gloria Arabagali as chairperson and help from Kathy Pitzz, had been collecting clothes and other goods after the earthquake which struck Hela, Southern Highlands and Western badly.
“Helas in Port Moresby including students from the Pacific Adventist University and the University of Papua New Guinea with other youths and students have been supporting our efforts,” Arabagali said.
“Hela Inaka means my Hela and our motto is Ki mero, Ki-Mia and Ki Mima which means I give towards the disaster relief efforts, you give and together we will give to our people.
“This job cannot be done by one person, it cannot be a responsibility left to the government, donor partners or other agencies.
“We as individuals from Hela need to come together to put our efforts to give something.
“Our target is to contribute to four villages that were heavily hit by disaster. We want to put a smile on the faces of people who may be wearing the same clothes from day one.
“We are really happy doing this, something worth living for to support our people. It’s a big sacrifice, but the satisfaction of knowing that someone will be given assistance through our efforts is pleasing.”
Pitzz said ike-minded women came together four days after the earthquake and formed Hela Inaka and shared their work at her yard to work toward the course of helping our people.
“There are other relief efforts being undertaken but ours is Hela for Hela and the first goal is the immediate relief supplies,” Pitzz said. “We want to provide some form of comfort, especially in terms of clothing and tents.”
The group had been meeting every Sunday since the disaster to put ideas together on how to gather relief assistance.
“Assistance from all communities is overwhelming, since we created our Facebook page, people have come with donations of cash and kind,” Pitzz said.
Some of the donors include Sogeri National High, Pagini Clothing, Our Club Management, Wardstrip Primary School, individuals and organisations from as far as Australia.
“We packed surprise packages for the people, not just clothes but other little things that can be of benefit to the people,” she said.
“We aim to have 200 bags for four identified areas which we believe are in big need of such assistance.”
Group matrons are Rachel Marape and Carol Thomas. The patron is Dominic Kakas and secretary is Jossie Pitzz.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/hela-women-packing-new-life-earthquake-victims/