Australian Government
AusAID Media Release
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
KEVIN RUDD
The Australian Government is providing additional assistance to Papua New Guinea (PNG) to respond to the outbreak of cholera on Daru Island, in the Western Province.
Cholera is a bacterial infection typically spread through contaminated water and up to 70 patients per day are presenting at Daru Hospital, which serves a large and difficult-to-access region near the mouth of the Fly River.
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said this further $500,000 in aid means clean water for villages, essential medical supplies and additional Australian water and sanitation experts on the ground.
'Australia remains concerned about cases in the hinterland around Daru Island, with potential for further spread of the disease,' Mr Rudd said.
'The Australian High Commissioner and the Head of AusAID in PNG have travelled to Daru today with 400kgs of medical supplies (4000 aqua tabs, 300 water containers, 500 doses of oral rehydration salts and 190 litres of intravenous fluid) to review the situation.'
The Australian support will fund activities now and into the future to prevent the spread of the disease into villages, through basic hygiene education and awareness, as well as treatment activities. The Australian Red Cross, working with the PNG Red Cross, will receive $150,000 to provide clean drinking water and community health promotion activities.
Today's announcement brings Australia's comprehensive emergency support to $1 million, and has assisted international organisations and other NGOs to continue support to National and Provincial authorities in their cholera response and to fund flights to Daru to ensure vital supplies reach the victims.
CANBERRA
19 November 2010