West Papuans set up PNG Earthquake Fundraising Appeal
March 13, 2018
Following the terrible earthquake which has resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people in Papua New Guinea and let hundreds of thousands of others affected, the people of West Papua have set up their own PNG Earthquake Appeal, in solidarity with their fellow Melanesians on the other side of the border. On 13th March a 100 candlelit vigil was held in the capital city of Port Numbay, raising both awareness and financial support for the people of PNG. In a Press Release, the organisers appealed “To all Papuans from all walks of life to participate in solidarity with our Melanesian brothers in Papua New Guinea who are stricken by the disaster”.
The below message comes from Benny Wenda, the Chairman of The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) who initiated the effort.
Dear friends,
Following my message of condolence earlier this month after the devastating earthquake in Papua New Guinea, the situation has tragically further deteriorated and now over 100 people have died and over 300,000 people have been left without shelter.
In response to this, we the people of West Papua are standing shoulder to shoulder with our wantoks and brothers and sisters across the border in Papua New Guinea in an act of Melanesian solidarity from Sorong to Samarai. Fundraising is taking place across West Papua and a 100 candle vigil will be held in support of the people of Papua New Guinea.
As fellow Melanesians, we the people of West Papua especially feel the pain and suffering of our people on the other side of the border but as fellow human beings we can all feel such pain and we all know that it is right to support people in need. Therefore, I am urging everyone around the world to please help support the ULMWP’s PNG Earthquake Appeal and in doing so, support the people of Papua New Guinea in their time of need.