Frieda River Limited has donated a 5,000 litre water tank to the Wombun community health post in Chambri Lakes, securing a stable and safe water supply for patients and medical staff affected by natural disasters.
The tank was handed over during an official ceremony at Wombun Village attended by villagers and local ward councillor Jimmy Manguan who emphasised the importance of villagers having access to fresh and safe drinking water.
“Patients with illnesses and those undergoing treatment need clean water to prevent dehydration and other complications,” he said.
In isolated communities, health aid posts provide primary medical healthcare to most of the surrounding population and accessible health services to local villages. An evolved operational aid post supports health and wellbeing in the local community, prevents the spread of disease, and improves post-care outcomes.
Frieda River Project Director Phil McCormack said the donation is part of Frieda River Limited’s continuing commitment to, and investment in, healthcare, education, and infrastructure in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Provinces.
“We’re invested in meeting the demand for resources in a socially responsible way and looking after the diverse needs of local communities.
“From supporting infrastructure projects to providing fresh water, we remain deeply committed to helping communities in need, especially during times of crisis.
“We know this water tank will make a huge difference to a community that has been affected by two natural disasters in one year and we are proud to be a part of the community’s rebuilding efforts,” he said.
Frieda River Limited, through its parent organisation PanAust, has injected more than USD $1.6 million dollars into the local economy from 2017-2022 through its community development fund. Fund money has gone to supporting program such as life changing Interplast surgical interventions, empowerment programs for women, transport, and medical assistance.
Wombun is in Ward 17 of the Gawi local level government in Wosera Gawi district in the East Sepik Province.
In the past year this remote community has been affected by double disasters, experiencing an earthquake in April 2023 and the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the East Sepik Province in the following year.
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