The recent flooding in the Bulolo District of the Morobe province has caused significant disruptions, flooding parts of Bulolo town and surrounding roads, and impacting local residents and communities.
Over the weekend, the Bulolo District Development Authority (DDA) organized relief supplies to aid the affected areas in an effort to restore livelihoods. Bulolo MP, Sam Basil Jr., expressed concern over the situation.
“It is unfortunate what has transpired and the aftermath it has had on our communities. The relief supplies will be distributed accordingly to our affected communities, coordinated by the DDA.”
While the Provincial Disaster Office has yet to address the issue, the DDA is working to manage the situation.
Basil urged the Provincial Disaster Office to take appropriate action promptly and also emphasized the ongoing need for the restoration of the Wau-Bulolo Highway, citing slow progress despite repeated calls to the Department of Works.
Basil highlighted that natural disasters like flooding will persist, but the DDA plans to learn from this experience and collaborate with stakeholders to improve disaster response and preparedness.
The DDA’s immediate response included assistance to flood victims at Pine Top, where 23 houses were swept away by the flood at 2am on Friday.
Families left with nothing, have been provided with tarpaulins and food items since Saturday, with ongoing support planned throughout the week until they are resettled.
District Administrator, Mr. Joe Paru supervised the distribution of food supplies, which were transported in two trucks and two cars to aid victims currently housed at St. Peters Primary School in Bulolo.
Paru noted that the DDA responded within eight hours, providing immediate relief while waiting for further assistance from the Provincial Government and the Disaster Office. He also commended local families for their initial support, offering aid in cash and kind.
Meanwhile, one of the victims, Gloria Manjiban Taio, shared her experience, stating that her family had no time to salvage belongings as the flood struck at 2am, forcing them to evacuate immediately.
Mr. Basil reiterated the DDA’s commitment to managing the relief efforts and ensuring proper coordination of resources to support the affected communities. He continues to call for prompt action from the Provincial Disaster Office to address the ongoing crisis.