PAPUA NEW GUINEA – “The earth started to shift and shake violently.”

Marlian, a mother-of-three, has given her experience of the 7.5 earthquake that 11 days ago turned the quiet rural life of her family in Papua New Guinea’s remote Highlands into a refugees’ nightmare.

“I ran outside pulling my children by the hands and then I saw my house just fly away.

“We lost everything. Our house is gone, our gardens are gone and the water has turned red so we cannot drink it or wash in it. We are sleeping in the bush without any cover.

“I don’t know where to go or what to do, especially because the earth is still shaking and I am scared.”

Marlian shared her story during one of the many visits by Oil Search Limited (OSL) to her Southern Highlands home at Kekero village.

Marlian was one of the villagers to receive clean water, food and shelter provisions provided by donors and delivered by Oil Search helicopters.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill also visited the earthquake affected areas in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces alongside Oil Search managing director, Peter Botten, and the Australian High Commissioner, Bruce Davis.

The prime minister witnessed the earthquake relief coordination centre at Oil Search’s Moro Camp that is receiving emergency supplies from Australian and New Zealand military aircraft for onward distribution to affected communities.

“It’s very sad to see a lot of destruction and lot of displacement of our people, it’s certainly a lot of stress communities that have been affected by earthquake,’’ Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said at Kekero village.

“Slowly the relief supplies are getting in, the injured are being taken to hospital, progress is still being made and we are pleased with the progress so far.

“I want to express our gratitude to the private sector, especially Oil Search, the Australian government, the New Zealand government, the Israeli government, the Chinese government, and others who have rallied behind Papua New Guinea to bring relief supplies to the communities. It’s working very well and team work is very important.

“Where there is a shortfall somewhere, someone else is stepping in and that’s a very pleasing effort by the community and the private sector – working together in our time of help.’’

The prime minister noted that given the extent of the crisis and the need to coordinate efforts, it would have been extremely difficult for any one partner to do it alone.

The delegation travelled to Kekero village to see a community that was severely affected by the recent 7.5 earthquake while a village next to Kekero was completely wiped out by a landslide, and the survivors now living in makeshift care centres.

O’Neill said the heartbreak of the destruction is being felt across the a nation.

“Tragically, the Highlands earthquake has already claimed the lives of an estimated more than 100 Papua New Guineans, with many more still missing and thousands of people injured.

“The story one mother and her family was particularly concerning, as she had lost six relatives including children. They were from Yalenda village in Kutubu, and with their village now destroyed, have moved to Kemerova village. This is a story of tragedy and loss that is being repeated in village after village throughout the disaster area.

“The social damage to our communities is large, and this earthquake will be the source of sadness and sorrow for generations to come.”

The prime minister said people must continue to be vigilant with ongoing aftershocks.

“There was another major aftershock this morning measuring around 6.8 magnitude.

“Aftershocks are likely to continue, and they will cause more damage,” he said. “We flew over major landslips today that were not there last week, but took place this morning.” - PNC sources