Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) and its business partners delivered a timely aid of K250,000 worth of basic food supplies to five flood-stricken villages in the Lower Middle Fly region of Western Province.
OTML through its Donations Committee supported the cause with K250,000 worth of basic food supplies, the utilisation of its logistical resources through its Community Relations & Sustainability Department along with its development arm the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) for the successful distribution and delivery of the supplies to Kaviananga, Komovai, Kasa, Levame and Owa villages. PNGSDP is providing support through its health and well-being assessments conducted in the area.
These villages were identified during an initial assessment conducted by OTML’s Community Relations & Sustainability, and Environment teams, OTDF and the PNGSDP teams as being severely impacted by flooding due to continuous rainfall in the region resulting in access restriction to food sources and safe drinking water.
OTML Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alan Bong said “As a 100% PNG owned mine, we believe we have a corporate social responsibility to provide support towards relief and recovery of our people and communities within Western Province as well as in other parts of the country.
“When disaster strikes, be it natural or manmade, lives are shattered, homes destroyed, and communities left reeling in the wake of devastation. The need for immediate aid is paramount and it is during these critical moments that our compassion and generosity provide hope to those in despair.
Mr Bong further encouraged all stakeholders in Western Province to be involved in the assessment of the affected areas and provide urgent assistance where needed.
“This support from OTML, OTDF and PNGSDP is to provide temporary relief support setting the pace before the responsible government authority organises its disaster committee to bring in more relief supplies,” he said.
The recipient communities thanked OTML and its partners for the prompt assistance provided during this time of need.
Village elder Yako Bamaru said this was the third biggest flooding in the history of lower Middle Fly caused by torrential rain.
Mr Bamaru experienced similar flooding as a child in the 1980’s, as a young adult and now as an elder in his mid-70’s, saying:
OTML & partners aid flood-stricken villages along Fly River
