OPERATION PLES DRAI PAPUA NEW GUINEA DROUGHT

THE PNG AND AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCES WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE PEOPLE OF PNG DURING THE 1997 – 1998 DROUGHT

RELIEF IN GULF PROVINCE

Australian Army and Navy Personnel have joined forces in the continuing struggle to combat the effects of the drought in Papua New Guinea.

Two Cairns-based ships, the HMAS Labuan and HMAS Tarakan have begun making deliveries to coastal centres throughout PNG.

Over the weekend HMAS Labuan delivered a two month supply of rice, flour and cooking oil to the Gulf Province centre of Kerema which was subsequently taken to more remote communities in the province's highlands by Army Black Hawk helicopters.

Commander of the Australian component of the drought relief effort Lieutenant Colonel Norman Cognet said the cooperation between the services and their PNG counterparts worked well.

"We've all had to come together to make this happen. We've had to rely on the local knowledge of our partners from the PNGDF as well as the expertise held by the various members of our three services and I¹ve been very pleased with the way it's all worked out," Lt Col Cognet said.

Remote communities such as Bu'u (pronounced Boo), where the inhabitants have a reputation for their ingenuity, have struggled to maintain their gardens. They are hours away from any medical facilities and are now relying on the food provided by AusAID and delivered by the ADF.

According to AusAID Food Aid Coordinator, Wally Cook, The food delivered to Bu'u should be a good supplement to their diet. "We are getting there in time. If we hadn't gone in this month,even if they had a bit of rain, it could have become critical," Mr Cook said.

"This shipment should sustain them for a month. At worst it, by itself, can sustain them. At best it complements foods they already have access to."

Flying over the green jungles of Papua New Guinea it is difficult for Australians to understand how, what appears to be, a lush country side could actually be in the middle of the worst drought in the nations recent history.

"These people are used to a lot of rain. They still have a bit of water running in creeks and streams nearby but that¹s not even enough to keep the fish alive. In Bu'u they¹ve gone quite a while without fish and they haven't had any pigs either," Mr Cook said.

The ability to transport the needed aid to these regions has proved to be an ideal task for the ADF and PNGDF who have the infrastructure, training and equipment to ensure the resources arrive in time.

"We haven¹t had any reports of deaths by starvation in Gulf Province and that¹s very good but these people are only one step away," Mr cook said.

By: Captain Chip Henriss-Anderssen - November 25 ,1997

Relief in Gulf Province Picture Gallery.