PNG landslides, 1000 homeless

From correspondents in Port Moresby 08aug03

TORRENTIAL rain and landslides have destroyed the homes of about 1,000 people on the west coast of New Ireland, a tropical island in Papua New Guinea, residents said Friday.

The August 1 landslides swept away three bridges, hindering access to four villages hardest hit by the storm, said local villager Patimos Lamamau.
"Right now the situation is completely destitute with people foraging around the jungles for food and shelters," said Lamamau, who only arrived in the provincial capital of Kavieng on the far west of New Ireland today to tell officials of the disaster.

Lamamau said four villages had their food gardens, domestic animals and personal belongings either buried or swept away during the early hours of August 1. A church building was also destroyed, he said.

"The only access to the area is either by trekking through the jungle or by helicopter," he said.

"All forms of communication have been destroyed and schools' classes have been suspended and children sent home."

Kavieng lies some 900km northeast of Port Moresby.

New Ireland province has a population of about 120,000 spread across an area of about 9,500 square km.

Coconuts and fishing provide the main forms of livelihood.

Officials from the provincial capital were reported to be travelling to the area to assess the situation.