The PNG Tribal Foundation, a humanitarian organisation, continues to spread light in the remotest areas of the country.
With little access to government services, continuous its daily support to survivors and victims of sorcery accusation related violence (SARV), repatriated 27 people to safer areas and fed more than 100 displaced and affected locals since last month.
Foundation president GT Bustin confirmed that 15 locals who received threats from the relatives of SARV perpetrators in Banz, Jiwaka, were assisted to a safer place.
This followed referral of four suspects to the National Court, and one arrested which triggered retaliation from the suspects’ relatives against the families of the deceased last year.
Meanwhile, 12 victims from Kerowagi in Chimbu Province were also assisted and rescued after receiving threats from relatives of the suspects who were re-arrested last week.
“We also fed over 100 locals whom we look after affected by sorcery in their own communities through food ration we supply monthly,” Mr Bustin said.
“Our volunteers and human rights defenders on the ground are doing the work.”
He confirmed that more than K10,000 was spent within three weeks to provide daily support for victims.
This included assisting police operations with fuel and paperwork, collecting eyewitness statements, medical reports, covering PMV fares, and securing accommodation to ensure victims were safely sheltered and fed.
Last week, a woman allegedly committed suicide in Ona village, Kerowagi District, after being accused of sorcery.
Tribal Foundation assisted CID police by paying K500 in postmortem fees to help start investigations into her death.
“We are calling on the Government to step up and do more to help us with arrests and successful prosecution of perpetrators, as well as rescue and protection of victims throughout the country,” Mr. Bustin said.
“Tribal Foundation needs help. We are an NGO and we are doing the government’s job with very little support.”
He added that the Foundation was working closely with police, court officials, community leaders, churches, and safe houses in remote areas across the provinces.
Mr. Bustin also confirmed that a SARV victim in Ihu LLG received support from the Tribal and will be filing a formal complaint with police in Kerema this week following an incident that occurred in February.
“We must hold SARV perpetrators accountable before anything will change,” he stressed.
The PNG Tribal Foundation is currently caring for more than 600 SARV and gender-based violence victims across the country, with the highest numbers in the Highlands region.