The Mt. Bagana volcano affected people of South Bougainville are finally getting some assistance from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF). The PNGDF has commenced work to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief response (HADR) for the people following Mt Bagana’s recent eruption. The move follows separate requests from the Office of the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Ishmael Toroama, to the Prime Minister James Marape and the Chief Secretary for ABG, Shadrach Himata through the Chief Secretary to the Government, Mr. Ivan Pomaleu. There have been significant damages done to houses, food gardens and contamination of all water sources within the proximity of Mt Bagana. PNGDF sympathizes with the affected communities of South Bougainville and the general populace of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB). “Bougainvilleans are smart and resilient people who have come a long way and PNGDF is happy to facilitate these requests in this time of need,” Chief of Defence Force Major General Mark Goina said. A Liaison Officer who has taken part in various HADR Operations and training, including Cyclone Guba in Oro in 2008, has been appointed to lead, as part of the whole of government approach. PNGDF’s assistance will include mobility platforms and niche capabilities in the area of health and engineering.