Hope Spot 20 – PNG Landslide: Update on your ALWS action

It is now nearly two weeks since the landslide in Enga Province in PNG.

The area is so hard to reach, and the damage so complete, that death and injury figures are hard to confirm.

When I wrote to you last week, I shared that ALWS was standing ready to respond.

I could not confirm beyond that, given that Enga Province is not an area ALWS currently supports, and therefore I could not assure you of effective delivery of support.

GOOD NEWS 1

ALWS can now direct any PNG landslide donations to front-line practical action!

This is because ALWS is part of a network of churches in Australia called CAN-DO (Church Action Network – Disaster Operations).

Through CAN-DO, we have church partners – ADRA PNG (Adventist Disaster Relief Agency) and the Baptist Union PNG – working directly in Enga Province.

In fact, the Seventh-day Adventist Church (ADRA) has 285 churches in the affected area of PNG, ready to deliver support using volunteers.

The 3 months operation plans to target:

• 1,139 people
• 48% female
• 40% children – including the newly orphaned
• 29% people with disability – including new disabilities from the landslide

The planned action includes:

• Bedding
• WASH – water, sanitation and hygiene
• Sanitary kits
• Tools and safety items to rescue people
• Psychosocial support for those suffering trauma
• Educational materials
• Devotional books
• Local church networks helping people through funerals and mourning

GOOD NEWS 2

The Australian Government recognises the effectiveness of our CAN-DO network, and have allocated $100,000 of aid for CAN-DO to deliver.

CAN-DO members have added $65,000, and any ALWS PNG landslide donations will be added to this effort.

The Australian Government has also provided 750 family-sized shelters, and a team of 16 disaster relief experts. Our hope is they will continue to expand this response.

THANK YOU!

I trust this brings you up-to-date on our ALWS response to the landslide.

As always, ALWS works very hard to find the most efficient and effective way to deliver your aid, so you can be certain your kindness reaches those who need help most.

NB: You are always welcome to call 1300 763 407

if you have questions, or simply reply to my emails!

It is a blessing that we can work side-by-side with churches, and together model to the Australian government and public what it means to bring Christian love to life.

Thank you for your love and generosity – you are a blessing ALWayS!

PS: Don’t forget you are welcome to use a 5:1 Grant from the Australian Government to help children of war in Myanmar. The Grant means you increase your life-protecting impact SIX TIMES! DONATE 5:1 NOW – thank you!

PPS: Any PNG landslide donations will be forwarded to the CAN-DO response. These donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt from ALWS.