The Nipa-Kutubu District Development Authority (DDA) has allocated approximately K3 million towards immediate El Niño drought relief assistance for communities across its 128 wards in seven Local Level Governments (LLGs) in Southern Highlands Province.
Nipa-Kutubu MP, DDA Chairman and Minister for Health and National Disaster Services, Hon. Dr Billy Joseph, announced that the district is working towards delivering much-needed food supplies and other essential relief assistance to communities affected by the ongoing drought.
Dr Joseph said the National Government had allocated K2.5 million in drought relief funding to Nipa-Kutubu, as part of the K15 million allocated to Southern Highlands Province.
He said the DDA had approved relief assistance packages valued at K20,000 for each of the district’s 128 wards, bringing the total allocation for food and essential relief supplies to K2.56 million.
The DDA has further committed K500,000 from its District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) funds to support logistics, administration and other essential services during the drought response.
This brings the district’s overall relief commitment to approximately K3.06 million.
Dr Joseph said part of the additional K500,000 would be directed towards supporting essential service providers, including staff at Nipa Secondary School, Nipa District Hospital, Det Health Centre, Kutubu High School, Pimaga Hospital and other institutions.
He acknowledged that Nipa-Kutubu is a geographically large district with widespread communities and that the K20,000 allocation per ward would not adequately address the needs of everyone affected.
He therefore called on the Southern Highlands Provincial Government and other development partners to work closely with the DDA to provide additional assistance.
“Nipa-Kutubu is a big district, and K20,000 per ward is not enough. We need the support of the Southern Highlands Provincial Government and our development partners during these difficult times when our people are struggling to survive,” Dr Joseph said.
The Minister also issued a strong warning against political interference in the distribution of relief supplies, stressing that assistance must reach those genuinely affected, regardless of their political affiliations, tribal connections or community backgrounds.
He said politics at the district, LLG, ward, tribal and clan levels must not influence the distribution of humanitarian assistance.
“This is not the time for politics. It is time for our communities to work together and concentrate on saving lives, particularly those of vulnerable people, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, elderly people and those who are sick,” he said.
Dr Joseph further emphasised the importance of supporting frontline workers, including health professionals, police officers and teachers, to ensure that critical government services continue operating throughout the drought period.
He said the welfare of essential service providers must remain a priority because communities depend on them, particularly during emergencies.
The Minister also reminded the people of Nipa-Kutubu that, as a national leader and Minister responsible for Health and National Disaster Services, he has responsibilities extending beyond his electorate.
“As a National Minister, I care for Nipa-Kutubu as well as the national interest. Our people must understand the different levels of responsibilities involved,” he said.
Dr Joseph urged communities not to panic, reminding them that Papua New Guinea had experienced severe El Niño events in 1997 and 2014–2015 and had overcome those difficult periods.
He encouraged families and communities to remain united, support one another and maintain hope as the Government coordinates its drought response.
“El Niño is not new to Papua New Guinea or Nipa-Kutubu. We experienced it in 1997 and 2014–2015, and this too shall pass.
“Do not panic. Our God, who protected us in the past, is still in control. Your Government is with you, and I am with you,” Dr Joseph assured the people.
The DDA’s relief programme is expected to provide immediate assistance to affected communities while supporting the continued operation of essential public services across the district.