Prime Minister Marape visits landslide survivors in Enga Province

Prime Minister James Marape and government officials visit the landslided affected people in Mulitaka LLG on Friday (PMs Media)

Seven days after the deadly landslide in Enga Province which claimed hundreds of lives and misplaced thousands, Prime Minister James Marape landed in Maip-Mulitaka LLG in Porgera-Paiela District.

One of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the country happened on 24^th May at Kaokalam Village.

On Friday, the prime minister was accompanied by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, Defence Minister Billy Joseph, and Hela Governor Philip Undialu, in an emotional visit, as thousands of locals still mourning the heavy loss of lives, and many bodies yet to be recovered.

A statement from the prime minister’s office said, “an estimated 670 people lost their lives and over 7800 were displaced,” after Mr Marape in parliament estimated the figure to be around 2, 000 deaths.

During the visit, the prime minister said K20 million is with the Enga Provincial Government to address immediate disaster needs.

Additionally, Hela and Southern Highlands Provincial Governments had contributed K1 million each.

He also expressed gratitude to the international terminal operator ICTSI South Pacific for its K1 million financial support.

People of Maip-Mulitaka covered their bodies in mud as a sign of respect and grief over the loss of their loved ones, gathered to listen to Prime Minister Marape address them on Friday (PM's Media)

“I express my heartfelt sorrow to the people of Maip-Mulitaka who lost loved ones in the disaster,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“Although I may be late, the government, through relevant departments and agencies like National Disaster Centre and PNG Defence Force, acted promptly in attending to the disaster.

“I thank the Enga Provincial Government of Governor Sir Peter and Provincial Administration of Sandis Tsaka, who, even if the landslide had occurred at 3am on Friday [24^th May], responded immediately and by 8am, disaster work was already in progress.

“I also thank, on behalf of the affected people and the country, all the global friends of Papua New Guinea for their kind words and support.

“I thank our partner countries including Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan, China, United Kingdom, Indonesia, France, Israel, South Korea, Phillipines, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Czech Republic and many others, United Nations, International Organisation for Migration and Pacific Islands Forum for responding very quickly to the disaster.

“I assure the people of Maip-Mulitaka, Porgera-Paiela, Enga, and Papua New Guinea that you are not alone in this difficult time.”

Families still searching for loved ones under the boulders (PM's Media)

Prime Minister Marape assured the people of Maip-Mulitaka that the national government would work with the Enga Provincial Government in continuing relief and restoration work.

“Our focus should now be on relief, restoration, and reconstruction into the future.

“We will respect and follow whatever long-term plans of the Enga Provincial Government.”