Following the devastating volcanic eruption on January 5, 2018, on Kadovar Island (one of Papua New Guinea's six Schouten Islands), the displaced Kadovar people, who have been living at the Dandan Care Centre in the Turubu Local Level Government (LLG) of Wewak, East Sepik Province, will soon have a permanent place to call home.
A government delegation, including officers from the Department of Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs (DPLGA), the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, the East Sepik Provincial Administration, and the Wewak District Administration, has been on the ground identifying and negotiating land for permanent resettlement.
The delegation is working to acquire 97.6 hectares of land from the proposed Kaup landowners.
This acquisition will provide a long-term and secure settlement site for the Kadovar people, offering safer and more sustainable living conditions than their current location.
Consultations and the land acquisition process are currently progressing, with permanent relocation expected by mid-next year.
Since their forced evacuation, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) were relocated to the Dandan Care Centre, which has presented significant challenges including location, whereas the centre occupies a small 3.5-hectare low-lying coastal area bordered by steep hills on one side and the sea on the other.
Flooding risk was also a challenge where the site remains highly prone to flooding, especially during heavy rains, as two creeks run through the settlement and flow into the sea.
In addition, food insecurity also saw limited land space and unresolved ownership issues having to restrict agricultural activities, as well as prevent self-reliant food production and worsening nutrition and living conditions.
The IDPs have relied heavily on food assistance since 2018.
Furthermore, DPLGA has been leading efforts toward a sustainable and permanent resettlement program, including continuous support for the community.
The DPLGA has been providing food rations since 2019 which saw during their recent visit this week, the DPLGA-led delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Dandan Care Centre and donated food rations to the settlers.
The displaced community has commended the Marape-Rosso Government and DPLGA for their continued commitment and support.
Despite enduring hardship and years of uncertainty for nearly a decade, the Kadovar settlers have expressed hope that the National Government will soon finalize the ongoing negotiations with the Kaup landowners and deliver on its promise of permanent relocation.
