A total of 23 children were among 58 victims displaced by sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) who have received food, accommodation and logistical support from Tribal Foundation, so to attend court hearings in Simbu and Port Moresby since June.

PNG Tribal Foundation continues to work tirelessly to support families affected by Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV). These are families who are displaced from their homes and land. They have been provided with food supplies, accommodation, transport, and other logistical support to travel from their villages to attend court hearings.

GT Bustin, President of Tribal Foundation said two SARV cases from Gumine and Chuave districts, which occurred in July 2023, are still before the court in Kundiawa. 

The eyewitnesses and victims were assisted with logistical support, accommodation and food while staying in Kundiawa attending their case with police and court officials.

Police were also assisted with fuel to transport eyewitnesses from their locations to Kundiawa.

In Port Moresby, two SARV cases involving displaced families living in undisclosed locations included 27 victims, among them are thirteen children. In another case, a displaced family of nine, including six children, the youngest is nine months old with both parents received food supplies and rental bills paid.

Mr. Bustin said the organisation had paid airfares for three eyewitnesses, and four children who will travel this week on either MAF or Niugini Aviation flights to Kundiawa to assist police with investigations on recent SARV incident in Wenaiyo village, Salt Nomane District.

“We have a CID officer who has worked closely on the Karimui case, ensuring all evidence is collected and properly documented for the 15 suspects currently in custody to face the law,” he said.

“We are currently monitoring and looking after four injured victims at Kundiawa General Hospital, two guardians, a widow, and another seven people who are travelling from Karimui to Kundiawa to assist police with the investigations.”

He said police had also sought assistance to cover stationery costs, including printing, photocopying and binding court documents for the case, and we are also looking at supporting them.

“We have given police our full support over the years, and we appreciate the important work they do in helping innocent victims seek justice,” he said.