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KOKODA CYCLONE APPEAL
THEY WERE THERE FOR US – NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO LEND A HAND
The Kokoda track Foundation has called on all Australians to draw on the spirit of Kokoda to provide emergency medical supplies and to help the people on the northern end of the Kokoda Track to rebuild their lives after the devastating floods caused by Cyclone Guba.
The Foundation today announced the establishment of The Kokoda Cyclone Appeal.
A week of incessant rain brought about by Cyclone Guba has inundated much of the Oro Province and flooding has swept away major bridges and roads. It has devastated many low-lying villages, destroying as many as 10,000 traditional houses, and killed at least 75 people with another 50 reported missing.
The Papua New Guinea Government has declared Oro Province a disaster area.
The latest news reports out of PNG can be found at The National Newspaper online: http://www.thenational.com.pg
- 1. Oro Province Desperate:
2. Oro declared disaster area
3. 75 perish in Oro floods – Oro devastation shocking
4. Relief Gains Pace
5. Oro top priority
6. Mobile phone plays big role in relief ops"We're asking for Australians to help the descendants of the famous Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels – just as they helped us in our hour of greatest need in 1942 – by donating to the Kokoda Cyclone Appeal," the Chairman of the Kokoda Track Foundation, Patrick Lindsay, said today.
"All monies raised will go to providing emergency and medical supplies for the Oro people and to assist them in rebuilding their shattered lives.
"The Kokoda Track Foundation has immediately committed $20,000 worth of medical supplies to the Kokoda Memorial Hospital to assist in the prevention of likely water-borne diseases in the area," Lindsay said.
Donations are tax deductible and can be made by downloading a donation form online at the Foundation's website http://www.kokodatrackfoundation.org or
or by sending a cheque to the Kokoda Track Foundation Limited, PO Box 3809, Sydney. NSW 2000;
or by making a deposit to:
The Kokoda Track Foundation Gift Fund Account,
BSB: 032007
A/C: 295 928 at any Westpac branch.Kokoda Track Foundation, Chairman, Patrick Lindsay (0407 099 967), or by
Email: lindsayp@bigpond.net.au
Photograph 1: source National Newspaper – Works Department Photograph:
Photograph 2: source National Newspaper – Kokoda children helping to unload relief supplies from and Australian army Caribou aircraft last weekend. Pictures courtesy of Police Media Unit.
National_flooding.png
unloading_cargo.pngAbout The Kokoda Track Foundation:
The Kokoda Track Foundation is a philanthropic organisation which aims to repay the selfless help given to Australia during WWII by the "Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels" of Papua New Guinea by helping to improve the lives and futures of their descendants.
It does that by assisting with their education and healthcare, by trying to protect their environment and by fostering the growth of an eco-friendly trekking and tourism industry from which they can benefit.
The fundamental aim of the foundation is to be a sustainable and thriving organisation that contributes substantially to:
- raising the educational, health and living standards of the people living along the Kokoda Track;
- the growth and maintenance of a sustainable eco-friendly trekking and tourism industry benefiting the people along the Track and to the protection and maintenance of their environment;
- the discovery and fostering of the next generation of PNG's leaders.
The Foundation's patron is:
the Governor-General Major-General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC.
The Foundation's board comprises:
- Patrick Lindsay (Chairman)
- Graeme Carroll
- Paul Croll
- David Frecker
- Genevieve Nelson
- Peter Thomas
- Yahoo Serious
- Prof Stephen Wearing
Our Slogan "The Kokoda spirit at work"
This email was sent to trekking@kokodatrail.com.au,
by gm@kokodatrackfoundation.orgHi Gail,
have sent out to all ex PNG & trekkers inc editors of PNG magazines here in Aus.. hopefully we will get a good response.
cheers
Nettie
Message from Kokoda Trekking: I am in receipt of many emails voicing your concerns for our guides and porters and their families for which I thank you.
For Kokoda itself they are ok and their crops are not damaged. However, where they will suffer is that supplies cannot get up to Kokoda from Popondetta. Supplies from Lae and Port Moresby cannot get to Popondetta either as the majority of bridges have been washed away. Air Niugini has cancelled all services into Popondetta until further notice so the only way into Kokoda is by chartered aircraft or with Airlines of PNG on their RPT service which only operates on Wednesday's.
On Monday this week I was in Kokoda and no-one there was talking of any hardship as I do not think it had sank in at that stage as the stores still had goods. Its when these stores start putting up their prices and items start to run out that they will fully realise the impact it will have on them. Their money could quickly dry up as most have oil palm crops and for the moment the palm oil company cannot get their produce to Popondetta so will more than likely stop buying from them. Its also the finish of the trekking season so no more income until April 2008.
On the flight with me was a few smokers and I noted a few cartons of cigarettes in their luggage. The others who were not smokers raced out and purchased cigarettes to sell to the community for when the stores started running out!
However its now a day later and I overheard a conversation today from our Kokoda base to Russell Eroro here in Port Moresby on the two way radio saying that nothing is getting through and they did not know what they were going to do in the long term should things continue as they are.
Our KTL 1 Mitsubishi Truck we have grounded in Kokoda as we have one drum of diesel and one drum of petrol left. Generators have been instructed not to be used except for emergencies as we have to use the remaining fuel wisely. Security has also been upgraded in the case someone decides they want to steal some.
The majority of our porters and guides may live in Kokoda but their ties go back to various villages from Kokoda all the way down to Gona, Buna and other villages along the coast. All their wantoks are now suffering and many have lost their homes and all their belongings.
Today I ran some suggestions past Russell Eroro and his list follows as to what he feels their wantoks need the most:
Essential items urgently needed are:
- Tarpaulins – Canvas
- Food such as bags of rice; tinned fish; tea, coffee, sugar
- Blankets
- Bales of 2nd hand clothes
- Pots and Pans
- Medical supplies for the hospital to make sure they can handle anything that comes their way.
- Charter money for any urgent medical cases such as a woman who is having problems delivering a baby to be flown into Port Moresby.
- Due to the majority of the Kumusi Bridge having been washed away, anyone in need of urgent medical attention cannot be moved down to Popondetta. Diseases are now at a high risk as looking from the aircraft window, all the rivers are dirty and muddy; remember this is their main water supply for cooking and drinking as very few of them have tanks and rely on the rivers to survive.
There are probably needs that are not mentioned above but its just some thoughts from ourselves as to the needs of the Oro Province people.
URGENT NOTICE: If any trekkers would like to donate direct, please SEND any DONATIONS urgently to:
Kokoda Trekking
18 Ballybunion Drive
PARKWOOD HEIGHTS.I give you my word, your generous gifts will get to the people who are in real need and there is a huge number especially around the Kumusi and Gorari area.
Compared to the average Australian our porters, guides and their children have very little by way of material assets, but to the people who have had their homes washed away, they now have nothing. Here in PNG there is no social security systems in place and its pretty much survival of the fittest!
Hi Gail
I have passed info on to the channel seven Sunrise and Morning shows both of whom have had parties walk the track over the past 12 months.
Hope they take hold of it for you.
Thinking and praying for all concerned
Regards
BrianMessage from a journalist by the name of Alison Anis who used to work for us.
Yeah, what a tragedy we have in Oro province, they say the whole province is affected by the flood and the situation is very, very devastating. I am doing my part here by keeping in touch with the people on the ground from National Disaster Office – I will try to put together some information and send it to you so you can put up also on your website.
Alison Anis
The NationalNewsletter received today from the Kokoda Track Authority:
The Kokoda Spirit At Work – November 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In This Issue
- Kokoda Cyclone Appeal
- Almost $15,000 Raised
- Kokoda Memorial Hospital
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2008 Lt.Col. Ralph Honner Oration Dinner
Book your ticket now for the KTF's annual major fundraiser, and hear Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty (pictured) deliver his thoughts on leadership.
Tickets – $185
KTF Members – $175Corporate Table – $1,750
Kokoda Veterans & Partners – COMPLIMENTARY
Booking details are on the KTF website.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Quick Links:
More about KTF:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Kokoda Cyclone Appeal – Urgent Call For Support
Two weeks ago, tropical Cyclone Guba hovered over PNG causing devastating floods in the northern Oro Province.
The areas affected include the township of Kokoda at the northern end of the Track, stretching down through Popondetta, to Buna on the northern PNG coast.
SUMMARY:
- Almost 250 people killed
- Up to 150,000 people affected
- Over 20 main bridges and roads destroyed
- Popondetta cut off by road
- Medical, food and fuel in short supply
- Unexploded WW2 munitions surfacing
- Villagers burying dead in mass graves
The Australian Defence Force launched Operation PNG Assist last Thursday to help the locals in PNG.
The KTF has already sent AUD$20,000 worth of medical supplies to both the Kokoda Memorial and Popendetta Hospitals with the help of the ADF, AusAID and the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
We have also launched the Kokoda Cyclone Appeal to raise further funds for supplies.
To Make a Donation, please visit:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kokoda Cyclone Appeal – $15,000 Raised in 7 Days
Proving that the Kokoda Spirit is alive and well, Australians are digging deep into their pockets to support the Kokoda Track Foundation's, Kokoda Cyclone Appeal.
The NSW RSL & Services Clubs Association has donated $5,000, businessman & author Bill James has pledged $2,000, and broadcasters Peter FitzSimons and Lisa Wilkinson have donated $1,000.
All monies raised by the appeal will go directly to PNG to be used for urgent disaster relief.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kokoda Memorial Hospital Alliance
The events of the past fortnight really have shown just how important it is for the Kokoda Memorial Hospital to become a fully operational hospital in the Kokoda area.
At a recent meeting of the founding members of the Kokoda Memorial Hospital Alliance (KMHA), Jonathan Duffy of the Seventh Day Adventist Church's South Pacific Health Division gave a report on his mid-October visit to the facility.
His findings and formal report will form the basis of an action plan to take the hospital towards realising its full potential.
The KMHA members will meet again early in 2008.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Events – KTF AGM 2007
The Kokoda Track Foundation is holding its AGM on Thursday November 29th 2007 at 6pm at the offices of Blake Dawsonin Grosvenor Place (Level 36, 225 George St, Sydney NSW 2000).
A notification of meeting was mailed to all members and we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.
If you are likely to attend, please email an RSVP to: gm@kokodatrackfoundation.org [mailto:gm@kokodatrackfoundation.org]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to Deanna Hart and other trekkers who walked with their trek who have gone out of their way to obtain much needed supplies for the Oro Province people. I heard from my son Nathan today that business houses in and around Mackay along with individuals have been turning up to their house with donated supplies.
Now all I have to do is to try and get them to PNG and to the people on the Kokoda side of the Oro Province who are related to some of our porters which is their wish. It appears they will have a container load by Monday ready for shipment to PNG.
Just today when at the airport sending off our last lot of trekkers for 2007, I ran into someone who had returned yesterday from Kokoda. He remarked that our driver Richard's village was completely destroyed. He said I was there yesterday and both sides of the river have been washed away, villages/gardens everything. In his estimate it would take up to 2 years to restore back to normal….lets hope it does not take that long!
Richard however has not yelled for help for his people as he is obviously too humble and must be waiting for me to notice. In the meantime more and more relatives will start to migrate to towns like Kokoda to stay with friends and wantoks until they get their lives back on track again.
RCI___Richard__Small_.jpg
KOKODA_NEWS.pdfNews just in from Kokoda is that Cyprian Haera's area has been badly hit as well. Our boys are quiet and haven't been ringing but Russell's brother John has been out and about looking at all the mess and rang up today to report this to us.
Photograph: Cyprian Haera bottom right in front row when our Kokoda Challenge boys met up with Mal Maninga:
100_1124__Small_.JPGThe aftermath of the floods in Oro province
The word "oro" in the Binandere language, commonly spoken in Oro province means welcome, and the Oro province people are generally respectful, friendly and welcoming.
Visitors to the province' villages will feel the genuineness of their hosts warmth and generosity.
Conch shells, kundu drums, headdresses woven from colorful bird feathers and the distinct tapa cloth artistically dyed with traditional ink symbolizes the pride and identity of the Oro people.
The gesture of friendship is practiced across the length and breath of Oro province from Tufi, Wanigela to Afore towards Kokoda across Binandere to the coast of Ambasi and the shorelines of Ope, Katuna, Bakubari, Kausada, Gona, Cape Killerton, Sananada, Buna to Oro Bay-the people share the same customs and traditions-one, oriented by peace harmony and good will.
They chant Oro Oro Oro to welcome visitors into their midst.
The provincial flag carries the Birdwing butterfly, a reflection of strength courage, determination and bravery, the latter replicating the courageous deeds of the famous Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels who helped the Australian Military against the invading Japanese forces during World War 2.
In a sentimental pseudonym, following recent floods in the province, Oro Governor Suckling Tamanabae said "it has been proven that only two creatures in the world can survive a nuclear holocaust-the cockroach and the butterfly."
The butterfly goes through a mystical and extraordinary process to become a creature, one especially blessed and anointed by God.
It must come out of its cocoon, multiply and flutter its wings in very colorful multitudes".
"That's the way my people will recover from their calamities bought on by the flash floods," a teary Governor Tamanabae said last week after assessing the damage.
"God has his own ways, for everything happens for a purpose, we shall recuperate and rise up, ever hardened to progress and prosper," Mr Tamanabae said.
The province is blessed with cash crops like oil palm, cocoa and coffee.
Thousands of Australians, Japanese and American people have sentimental connections to the province because their loved ones fought and many died on the land during World War 2.
Each year thousands of tourists come to Oro province to walk the famous Kokoda Trail and visit war sites.
The floods caused by heavy rains caused widespread death and destruction to villages and gardens leaving thousands without food and shelter.
The lives of thousands are at stake if they don't receive food, water and medicine immediately.
Governor Tamanabae made an emotional plea to the Government to respond immediately to the situation. Although several tones of rice were delivered to some areas, thousands more are still in need of food and shelter.
Seven days after the disaster, the PNG Government a State of Emergency and approved K260 million for relief aid and the reconstruction of some roads and bridges in the province.
However, while these funds are still going through the process of being transferred into the operating account, there are delays in getting food and water to the displaced and desperate.
There's fears that political and bureaucratic red tape could further delay the relief processes.
The thought of people dying in hopeless and helpless situation is traumatising for those affected and their relatives outside of the province who are worried about their welfare.
Governor Tamanabae said the PNG Government and its relief agencies and security forces do not have the capacity to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.
The people are scavenging for edible crops in the mud and water to stay alive and scores of people are walking for days and swimming across rivers to reach Popondetta to find food and water.
A disaster of such magnitude requires a massive relief operation, it requires heavy duty helicopters, huge manpower and boats that can carry cargo and rescue people trapped in tree tops, houses and higher grounds.
At the time of writing the death toll had increased to 160 after reports that 11 had reportedly died of starvation in the Binandere area.
Governor Suckling Tamanabae who traveled by chopper into the area said, the people took him to the burial site and showed him the 11 graves.
The death toll could be higher given the fact that most areas are still flooded preventing government workers from going into affected areas to assess the situation.
Health authorities fear the outbreak of water borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, diarrhea and malaria.
Continuous rainfalls formed several tributaries of ferocious river torrents, which gushed down the mountains of Kokoda, Afore and Binandere leaving a trail of death and destruction throughout the 4622 square kilometers of land inhabited by 180,000 people of Oro province.
On Friday November 17, provincial officials, using the health radio network confirmed that 52 people had perished and 50 were missing.
Those missing are now presumed dead and with the 11 deaths in Binandere the official death toll is over 160 people.
According to the provincial works engineer Andres Kendaura about 95 percent of the bridges and road infrastructure worth an estimated K2 billion, were destroyed.
The bridges linking Oro Bay, the gateway for cargo ships and passenger vessels and the Girua airport had also collapsed.
The villages along the coastline from Tufi, Wanigela, Oro Bay, Eroro, Buna, Salamanda, Cape Killerton, Gona, Bakubari, Bareji, Kurereda, Hombariri, Kausada, Hariko, Barisari, Omborada, Batari, Katuna, Ope and Ambbasi were under water.
Food crops, livestock and entire villages were swept away.
The flooded River Bangoho washed away up to 150 homes and destroyed the Popondetta Town Water Supply dam forcing the provincial water board to shut off the town's water supply.
Governor Tamanabae's nephew Brian Tamanabae a reserve policeman in Popondetta escaped death when the Double Cross bridge linking Higaturu Oil Palm factory and Kokoda with Popondetta town collapsed.
The bridge had partially collapsed but was still passable and Brian drove his bus across it to avoid being stranded on the other side. On the bridge were three young men.
When he reached the other side the bridge collapsed. Brian turned and saw three bodies flung like dominoes into the air and straight into the raging torrents beneath the bridge.
The people on the river bank rescued one of the boys, the fate of the other boys is not known.
A man working in his garden climbed a tree to escape the flood but watched in horror as the waters carried his wife away. She is still missing. Three coffins were also unearthed and carried down the same river.
In Bareji about 130 people have sought refuge on a logging company's pontoon while hundreds of people are floating on rafts and canoes.
The rivers are contaminated by dead animals and human beings and people are using leaves and tarpaulins to catch rain water to drink.
Two bodies, a headless torso and the corpse of a young boy were found in Eroro village.
It is believed they may have floated down from the hinterlands of Pongani and Managalas.
Those involved in the rescue and relief operations have a mammoth challenge on their hands.
The floods supersede the 1951 Mount Lamington Volcanic eruption considering the fact that the entire province has been affected. Thousands may succumb to sicknesses and starvation over the next few weeks if they don't get help.
Food supplies in the shops are dwindle as provincial authorities race against time to rebuild the Girua bridge and culverts connecting Girua airport and the Oro Bay sea port with Popondetta.
Alternatively all food and fuel supplies will have to come through Gona mission station.
Despite the huge commitment made by the PNG Government, the floods in Oro shows us one thing.
The country lacks the capacity to respond immediately to a disaster of such a magnitude.
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