PNG disaster-prone provices to receive Emergency Education Supplies

Thirteen disaster-prone provinces, will receive Emergency Education Supplies, worth one-million Kina.

These supplies contain a school in a tent kit and a box kit, fleece blankets and emergency family kits, cooking utensils, bath towels, soap and a carry bag.

The United Nations International Children's Education Fund, is working with the Education Department, to provide the emergency supplies.

Fund Country Representative, Baba Danbappa, says the organization is doing this in 13 provinces most at risk of disasters, so they have critical school material readily available, during an emergency.

The supplies are at the Port Moresby wharf, ready for shipment to the respective provinces, this week.

Education is the first sector to have a policy on Education in Emergencies and Disaster Risk Reduction and with UNICEF support, nine provinces have developed their Education in Emergency Plans. 

The remaining 13 provinces which will be receiving the supplies are yet to complete theirs. 

The provinces includes East and West New Britain, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, New Ireland, Manus and Oro, Eastern and Western Highlands, Simbu, Morobe, East and West Sepik and Madang. 

Acknowledging UNICEF support, Department of Education Acting Secretary Dr Michael Tapo says disaster preparedness is important for schools, teachers and students and the school communities must be aware of it. 

UNICEF has recently trained more than 4000 primary school students and 92 teachers in five provinces on emergency preparedness and response through an earthquake mock exercise as part of the implementation strategy of the policy.