Israel provides support to Papua New Guinea following devastating earthquake
Following a devastating earthquake, which struck Papua New Guinea’s highlands region on Monday, February 26, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) has provided much needed support to disaster relief efforts.
The 7.5 magnitude earthquake left around 100 people dead and more than 150,000 people in desperate need of emergency supplies.
Israel, one of the first countries to send aid to Papua New Guinea, delivered forty generators on Thursday, March 8, which will help provide assistance to communities affected by the earthquake.
“These generators will provide immediate assistance to communities suffering from damage to critical infrastructure,” noted the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill.
The generators were delivered by Yaron Sultan-Dadon, the Pacific Islands Adviser at the Israeli Embassy in Australia, who toured areas affected by the earthquake with Prime Minister O’Neill and assessed other possible avenues for Israeli assistance.
When asked about Israel’s humanitarian assistance in an interview aired on television and radio, Mr. Sultan-Dadon noted, “The State of Israel does not leave its friends behind.”
Prime Minister O’Neill thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel’s assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake noting, “Relations between Papua New Guinea and the State of Israel are strong, and our government and the people of Papua New Guinea appreciate the support and friendship of Israel during these challenging times.”
Tibor Shalev-Schlosser, Israel’s Ambassador to the Pacific Island States noted, “The Israel MFA is evaluating additional means of disaster relief and will continue to assist Papua New Guinea during this difficult time. “
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