Tidal waves displace 75,000 in PNG

December 18, 2008

PAPUA NEW GUINEA has been pummelled by non-stop tidal waves and unusually high tides that have forced 75,000 people from their homes this month, the United Nations says.

The autonomous region of Bougainville, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia were also affected by the high waves, according to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Half the population of Manus Island [in northern PNG] has been displaced,” a UN spokeswoman, Elisabeth Byrs, said on Tuesday.

“The Government of Papua New Guinea has declared a state of national disaster and a team of [UN] experts should arrive ON Wednesday to examine their needs,” she said.

“The affected islands are scattered and the never-ending nature of the tidal waves makes the evaluation of the situation very difficult.”

Australia announced this week it would give $1 million to Papua New Guinea after the high swells inundated several provinces.

The RAAF has already started flying food and other supplies to two northern island provinces hit by destructive tidal surges. Birds have caused serious engine damage and grounded one of the RAAF aircraft involved in the mission. A C-130 Hercules was taking off from Kavieng Airport, in New Ireland province, on Tuesday when a bird flew into a propeller, forcing the crew to abort the take-off.

A second attempted take-off about four hours later had to be abandoned when another bird hit the aircraft.

An inspection of the plane showed it had serious engine damage.

Geesh, these guys can;t get a break.