AIDWatch on New Guinea Drought id QAA03000; Wed, 24 Sep 1997 16:48:55 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source: VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Wed Sep 24 00:26:10 1997 Media release 22.9.97 Hundreds die in New Guinea drought Appeal to mining companies to fund famine relief AID/WATCH is calling on Australian companies and multinationals operation in New Guinea to commit a percentage of their profits to drought ravaged areas across this island. "The Minister for Foreign, Mr Downer, will be asked to officially approach companies and request that they contribute to a drought relief program for both Papua New Guinea and West Papua (Irian Jaya)", commented Ms Lee Rhiannon, Director of AID/WATCH. In Papua New Guinea alone the National Disaster Committee estimates that the people have been affected, with 80 already dying. In West Papua no official figures have been released but it is understood the drought is having a similar impact. About 150 people are thought to have died. "Companies like Rio Tinto and BHP have made enormous profits out of the people and resources of this island. They have a responsibility to financially back the drought relief effort. If there is not a quick injection of funds more people will die", added Ms Rhiannon. The Freeport copper mine, owned by Rio Tinto, in West Papua makes $1 million profit per day. BHP's annual profit last year was $1.26 billion, with much of this wealth coming from the Ok Tedi copper mine in Papua New Guinea. The PNG National Disaster Committee has reported that drought-ravaged regions of Papua New Guinea have appealed for about $300 million in aid, as it is estimated that the harsh weather conditions causing this famine will continue until 1998. "AID/WATCH is calling on the Australian government to exert pressure on Australian companies operating throughout New Guinea to assist the famine relief effort. Aid agencies are increasing their funding because of the current life threatening situation. It is time foreign businesses contributed financially. While BHP's assistance to the people of the Ok Tedi region is welcome they should also donate directly to the drought appeal inn Papua New Guinea. For further information contact Lee Rhiannon - 93875210 or 93693496 _________________________________________________________________ AID/WATCH is an Australian non government organisation that monitors the environmental and social impact of Australia's overseas aid program, including AusAID, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Address: PO Box 652, Woollahra NSW 2025, Australia Office: Level 1, 10 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction NSW 2022, Australia Ph: + 61 2 93875210 Fax: + 61 2 93861497 Web: http://www.peg.apc.org/~aidwatch ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytpac-09.24.97-16:48:56-12640