27/04/2026
Relief supplies are on their way to affected communities in South Bougainville, with a barge loaded with essential items departing Buka Wharf today.
The MV JMC Barge is carrying a total of 24 tonnes of relief supplies, including 20-kilogram bales of rice, tinned food, salt, boxes of noodles, and containers of fresh drinking water. The shipment is destined for Torokina and Buin, areas impacted by recent adverse weather conditions.
The relief effort is led by the Office of the Member for South Bougainville, with additional contributions from the Office of the Regional Member and the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville.
Authorities confirmed that part of the supplies, specifically 244 bales of rice, had already been delivered earlier to Torokina shortly after Cyclone Maila subsided.
Officials from the South Bougainville Member’s Office and members of the South Bougainville District Development Authority (SBDDA) Board, who travelled from Buin to Buka to oversee the loading process, are also onboard the vessel as it departs.
In acknowledging the support received, appreciation was extended to the Regional Member and Minister for Works and Highways, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., as well as the Catholic Diocese of Bougainville, for their contributions toward assisting communities in Torokina and across South Bougainville.
Images taken yesterday afternoon show relief supplies being loaded onto the barge at Buka Wharf, marking a continued effort to support communities recovering from the recent cyclone.
