A total of 58 victims displaced by sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), including 23 children, have received food, accommodation, transport and logistical assistance from PNG Tribal Foundation since June to enable them to attend court hearings in Simbu and Port Moresby.
PNG Tribal Foundation has continued to support families forced to flee their homes because of SARV by providing essential relief and helping them access the justice system.
Foundation president GT Bustin said two SARV cases from Gumine and Chuave districts, which occurred in July 2023, remain before the Kundiawa court.
He said eyewitnesses and victims involved in the cases were provided with accommodation, food and transport while attending court hearings and meeting with police investigators. The foundation also assisted police with fuel to transport eyewitnesses from remote locations to Kundiawa.
In Port Moresby, the organisation is supporting two displaced families linked to separate SARV cases. One case involves 27 victims, including 13 children, who are living in undisclosed locations. Another displaced family of nine, including six children, received food supplies and assistance with rental payments. The youngest child in the family is nine months old.
Mr Bustin said the foundation had also funded airfares for three eyewitnesses and four children, who are expected to travel this week on Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) or Niugini Aviation flights to Kundiawa to assist police with investigations into a recent SARV incident at Wenaiyo village in Salt Nomane Karimui District.
“We have a CID officer who has worked closely on the Karimui case, ensuring all evidence is collected and properly documented for the 15 suspects currently in custody to face the law,” Mr Bustin said.
He said the foundation is also monitoring and supporting four injured victims receiving treatment at Kundiawa General Hospital, along with two guardians, a widow and another seven people travelling from Karimui to Kundiawa to assist police with investigations.
Mr Bustin said police had also requested assistance with stationery costs, including printing, photocopying and binding court documents for the case.
“We have given police our full support over the years, and we appreciate the important work they do in helping innocent victims seek justice,” he said.