Students from the University of Papua New Guinea’s (UPNG) Milne Bay Students Union have raised more than K1,600 in cash donations and collected medical and relief supplies to support communities affected by Cyclone Myla in Milne Bay Province.
The initiative was led by the union’s president, Jemimah Togumagoma, a final-year Bachelor of Law student, alongside union secretary Emmanuella Davies, a Bachelor of Arts student. Both ladies working together with members of the student union body to raise the funds.
Speaking to PNG HAUSBUNG Jemimah said the group organized two donation drives at the UPNG Forum Square on May 6 and May 8 in response to growing concerns over shortages of medical supplies and damage to health facilities in affected communities.
According to the president, the appeal was launched after reports from home highlighted the urgent need for medicines and healthcare assistance.
“We received requests and statistics from people back home stating that (medical) drugs were running short and health centres had been destroyed,” she said.
The student-led campaign focused mainly on collecting medical supplies, medicines, hygiene kits, and sanitary items, while also accepting cash and in-kind donations.
The Union’s secretary said that during the first donation drive on May 6, they collected K414.40 in cash and approximately K640 through mobile money transfers. A second drive held on May 8 raised an additional K177.10 in cash.
As of Monday morning, the total amount raised had increased to K1,631.50 after another K400 donation was transferred into the campaign account.
Emmanuella said the funds would be used to purchase medical essentials, medicines, and hygiene supplies for affected island communities across Milne Bay Province.
In addition to monetary donations, students, staff, alumni, and supporters contributed clothing, bedding, kitchen essentials, detergents, and sanitation items.
“We didn’t expect to raise more than a thousand kina,” Jemimah said. “The response from students, staff, alumni, and even lecturers were overwhelming.”
Among those acknowledged for their support was senior UPNG lecturer Dr. Linus Digim'Rina who stepped in to donate K550.00 via mobile transaction.
The union confirmed that the donations had already been handed over to the Milne Bay community association, MBCA, which will coordinate the transportation and distribution of supplies to affected islands throughout the province.
While the student group will not be directly involved in on-ground distribution, they would continue seeking support from corporate sponsors and organizations to expand the relief effort.
“We’ve written to a few organizations and are waiting for their response,” Jemimah said. “If they come through, we plan to buy more medicines and add to the supplies already sent.”
The donation drive officially closed on Friday, however organizers say additional support may still be accepted depending on responses from sponsors in the coming weeks.
