A year on from a major earthquake in Papua New Guinea, the worst-affected communities are still struggling for basic needs.
PNG Prime MInister Peter O'Neill consoles a woman in earthquake-affected Hela province. Photo: PNG PM Media Office
The magnitude 7.5 quake which struck Hela province on 26 February was followed by many significant aftershocks and landslides.
The disaster caused almost 200 deaths and widespread devastation of homes and buildings in Hela, Southern Highlands and Western province.
A community worker with the Strickland Bosavi Foundation, Sally Lloyd, said thousands of people remain displaced.
"In the border regions people are starting to move on. They're trying to rebuild houses, but there's still quite a lot to be done. Quite a lot of people are still living in temporary shelters, and they're the people that are hard to reach. So it takes quite a long time to get out to all of them, and try and help them in the way that we need to."
Ms Lloyd said one of the challenges for people who don't have homes is finding land to establish themselves on - this can require complex negotiations.
Because many affected areas are far from roads, it has been difficult for relief agencies and the government to get required materials to where they are needed most.
Ms Lloyd said a number of communities were still sheltering under tarpaulins distributed after the quake.
"The tarpaulins in the tropical climate there are falling part, full of holes and things like that. It's not ideal to live under a tarpaulin for years on end."
Taunda Mope,15yr old Grade 4 student who lost his parents and four siblings along with four other relatives to the earthquake in Hela province. Photo: Scott Waide
Another lingering issue for many affected communities is the damage sustained to key crops such as sago which provides not only a food staple, but essential living materials.
"For example at the base of Mont Sisa, which is where the epicentre was, those people rely on sago roofing materials to build rooves on their houses, and they have none," Ms Lloyd explained.
"So for people like that, it's going to be either a long time or we have to find a way to get them in some alternative materials to build their rooves."
People of the affected region were resilient, she said, but it would take time to overcome the strain put on factors such as water, sanitation and education services.
Then there was the emotional trauma of the destruction caused by the major disaster, something local communities were not always used to confronting.
"There's been some services offered for psychological counselling, and rebuilding of families, but it's quite limited," she explained.
Those who had been badly affected by the disaster were still struggling to come to terms with the loss of family.
"And for some the loss of the ability to garden and provide for their children, it's quite devastating for parents who can't give enough food for their children."
People would move on, she said, but "it's going to take time".
Where the Tagari river use to run, Komo, Hela Province, PNG. Photo: Bernard McQueen
