Wabag Diocese, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea, Massive landslide
Approximately 3950 people were residing at a village Kaokalam up in the mountain, Ward 7 Yambali – Mulitaka, Kasap Parish, Lagaip deanery in Catholic diocese of Wabag, Porgera district, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. We could reach the disaster affected area by road 2 and half hours from the Wabag Diocese headquarters.
Roger Purcell MSC, Director of the MSC Mission Office circulated this report from Wabag.
Since this was written, the number of deaths has risen extensively.
Total population is around 3950 people. Both the Side of the mountain less people were affected.
More than 1500 likely impacted by a that flattened a village Kaokalam on Friday 24.05.2024 at 3.00am local time in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
According to the Survivors and local community members 178 people were buried and more than 255 houses were sunk; 5 families totally buried and out of 250 families some members escaped and some died. So far local people found 4 dead bodies and one leg of a man. People from one whole clan Panges belonging to the Kipul tribe, are affected by these disasters. More homes could be at risk if the landslide continues down the mountains at any time because nearby mountains have also cracked already.
Unicef
1322 survivors from 250 families need immediate assistance basic needs; such as food, clothing, medical assistance, temporary shelters, water, blankets, mats, dignity kits (sanitary items) and other household items, cooking utensils and other assistance like Garden tools, seeds, seedlings, permanent / bush materials houses, class rooms, Health centers, Water facilities, sanitation, church etc.. in the near future resettling them.
As a Wabag diocese we respond quickly; in terms of food to the directly affected people by the disaster.
We also provided medical supplies to the minor injured people and major injured people; we brought them to our health centers and Wabag hospital and they are under mediation.
Landslide have left debris up to 8 meters deep across 200 square km, cutting off road access, which was making relief efforts difficult but people of good will helped us to reach the spot with our supply’s food and medicines.
Initial estimates death were 100 people and now the figure has increased to around 178 and may even go higher if they find the bodies.
We suspect that it’s not only a massive landslide but also an earthquake because of the big creaks from the rocky mountain to the near river as you see in the pictures.
Thank you very much for the condolence messages, stand with us in solidarity, heartfelt concern being with us in your prayers and blessings.
Catholic Diocese of Wabag, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea
Bp. Arnold Orowae, Bp. Justin Ain, Sr. John Mary, Sr. Amutha, Fr. Stephen Yange and Wabag Diocese Caritas team