Note: Map production date estimated.

This report covers the period 1/7/2007 to 31/10/2007 of the 2006-07 appeal.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme Summary: There have been no dramatic events during this reporting period. Response to the tsunami

Appeal target (current): CHF 740,642 (USD 672,146 or EUR 452,390)

Appeal history:

This Emergency Appeal was launched on 26 November 2007 for CHF 740,642 (USD 672,146 or EUR 452,390) to assist 13,000 beneficiaries for 3 months.

Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF): CHF 25,000 was initially allocated from the Federation's DREF to support the national society to respond.

Operations Update no. 1 was issued on 5 December 2007.

The Disaster

Severe flooding from heavy rains brought on by Cyclone Guba inundated the provinces of Oro and Milne Bay in Papua

Members of a sectarian cult are hindering the movement of emergency supplies to flood-affected people in Papua New Guinea.

Torrential rains last month left 200 dead and thousands homeless in Oro province north of Port Moresby.

The area has long been associated with cult movements.

Anglican Church Bishop Joseph Barnes says members of a cargo cult stole relief supplies.

He says they claimed the cargo had been sent there by their dead ancestors.

"There has been interference with relief supplies being sent there by the sect group," he said.

Police are investigating.

Rosemarie North, Federation information delegate, Popondetta

There was dancing in the streets of Popondetta on Sunday when an International Federation team produced the first drinking water in the flood-hit provincial capital for more than two weeks.

"They were coming up with containers, pots and pans, and all sorts of things to fill with water," says Australian water and sanitation engineer Peter O'Keeffe. "The initial response was they were not sure but when they tasted it, everyone was so happy."

Peter used the opportunity of changing

The government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency on 19 November after Cyclone Guba brought extensive flooding and storm damage to Oro and Milne Bay Provinces in the South-East of the country. It is estimated that 200 people have been killed and 145,000 people are affected. Homes, vegetable gardens and crops have been destroyed, and livelihoods devastated, resulting in serious food shortages and increased poverty.

Currently people are temporarily housed in community schools, or have moved to higher ground. People drink from

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare today expressed gratitude towards everybody involved in the flood relief operations in Oro Province.

Sir Michael said he was humbled by the swift response and the magnitude of support of fellow Papua New Guineans, donor agencies and the wider international community who have donated in cash and kind.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Papua New Guinea, I express my sincere gratitude for your generous gesture," he said.

Sir Michael said Cabinet immediately

Each week, the World Health Organization Health Action in Crises in Geneva produces information highlights on critical health-related activities in countries where there are humanitarian crises. Drawing on the various WHO programmes, contributions cover activities from field and country offices and the support provided by WHO regional offices and headquarters. The mandate of the WHO departments specifically concerned with Emergency and Humanitarian Action in Crises is to increase the effectiveness of the WHO contribution to crisis preparedness and response, transition

An Emergency Relief grant of =A32,500 has been sent to Oro Province and Lae, PNG, to assist Mothers' Union local volunteers in a relief effort tocommunties devasteted by cyclone Guba. The12,000-strong local membership have already contributed =A3500 and are distributing supplies of rice, salt, clothing, water containers and clothing. Mothers' Union Relief Fund will sendfurther fundingas the needs become known.

Jeanette Oala, Mothers' Union provincial worker in the PNG, whose own mother died in the cyclone, is working with the Bishop, Rt Rev Dennys Ririka. He, together with a small