1.0 Key Issues / Highlights
In response to flooding and landslides on 03 January in Jiwaka, NFIs including, 20 L Jerricans, Kitchen Sets, soap and aqua tabs for 100 affected households were distributed to the Jiwaka PDC on 16 February.
Assessment of the Schouten Islands, East Sepik Province conducted 15 – 19 February found the population are suffering from severe shortages of water and food. Compared to previous assessments conducted in late 2015 by the District Administration and Save the Children increasing levels of malnutrition were found. Response planning is now underway, in conjunction with local partners, District Administration, Provincial Health Authority and Save the Children. An assessment report has been drafted and should be released by 11 March.
4200 households (29,400 beneficiaries) have received public health and agricultural drought mitigation messages and WASH NFIs (20L jerry cans and soap) as part of the MFAT funded WASH response in the Highlands.
The WASH team are now working in 11 health facility sites and 5 x schools in Eastern Highlands and Simbu Provinces.
As part of the joint OXFAM/CARE International DFAT HPA funded project, CARE led assessments and NFI distribution activities have taken place in 6 locations. To date approx. 5000 households have received NFI’s, almost 2000 children have been immunised and 30 cases of malnutrition have been reported by assessment teams.
Following Train the Trainer training from 08 - 12 Feb, drought adaptation training the first 3 of 6 district level training courses have been delivered in the week 22 - 26 Feb.