From: "Vikki John" <VIKKI-AT-lexsun.law.uts.edu.au> Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 10:47:17 GMT-1000 Subject: M-NEWS: (Fwd) 1181 DROUGHT: Summit attacks AusAID Title -- 1181 DROUGHT: Summit attacks AusAID Date -- 11 February 1998 Byline --Kevin Pamba Origin -- <A HREF="mailto:niusedita-AT-pactok.net.au">Niuswire</A> Source -- The National (PNG), 11/2/98 Copyright -- The National Status -- Unabridged ------------------- SUMMIT ATTACKS AUSAID PORT MORESBY: Summit attacks AusAID PORT MORESBY: The Australian international aid agency, AusAID, was yesterday the main target of criticisms by some Papua New Guinea provincial governors over alleged non-compliance with set procedures for carrying out relief exercise, the National reported today. Leading the onslaught was chairman of the drought disaster relief committee and Eastern Highlands Governor Peti Lafanama who said that as chairman he had not seen a report from AusAID or any other foreign donor of their relief efforts to date. Ironically, Mr Lafanama pointed out 10 serious discrepancies which were affecting the smooth delivery of relief supplies to the provinces. Among others the National Disaster Act does not seem to have adequate Constitutional backing, there is drastic lack of communication and co-ordination between provincial authorities and non-governmental organisations operating within the provinces; and respective MPs are not using funds allocated to provinces. Nevertheless, AusAID was singled out for not adhering to the various relief committees and government instrumentalities for the relief exercise. Southern Highlands governor Anderson Agiru pointed out that AusAID was only carrying out relief effort in "provinces where major Australian businesses are" implying that as major aid donor its actions were unfair to the nation. Mr Agiru said in high-risk and worst hit Highlands areas like Tambul, Kandep or Margarima there was no sign of the Australian Army and the Caribou (aircraft) loads of the much publicised Australian drought relief effort. Chairman of governors, Francis Koimanrea of East New Britain said foreign donors like "Australia, US and so on whether they are powerful or not should deliver their relief efforts under the legislative frameworks" of PNG. But he doubted at the same time whether PNG had a legislative framework to coordinate such emergency relief. Mr Lafanama pointed out that legislative flaws were part of a number of weaknesses affecting the delivery of aid to worst affected areas of the country. He said the Government's instrumentalities seemed to have been undermined by foreign donors as evident in this relief exercise. He said that if these generous agencies reported and kept in touch with his committee or appropriate government organs it would have made the coordination of the relief effort a lot easier. Mr Lafanama said many foreign donors, both large and small, seemed to have gone their own way with some facing difficulties such as at Customs leaving donations stranded on wharves. He said the lack of reports to his committee of relief efforts carried out by foreign governments and non-government agencies including churches compounded the problem of lack of proper coordination. He also said that the activities of disaster relief coordinator Peter Barter were not known to the committee to date. How much international and domestic relief effort was channelled under the auspices of Mr Barter was not known to his committee as the national government's legally instituted coordinating agency. +++niuswire This document is for educational and personal use only. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright source for reprinting. This service is provided by Journalism Studies, University of Papua New Guinea. Please acknowledge <A HREF="mailto:niusedita-AT-pactok.net.au">Niuswire</A>. http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius/
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