Port Moresby – A coordinated relief effort by the Morobe Provincial Disaster Center (PDC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has successfully delivered essential supplies to 52 households displaced by flooding along the Busu River in Morobe province.   

Throughout August and September 2024, intense rains caused the Busu River to swell resulting in devastating floods that affected communities along its banks. The flooding destroyed homes and displaced several families. Many residents are now living in temporary shelters, while others have sought refuge with relatives and friends as they work to rebuild their lives. 

In response, IOM, funded by USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), swiftly coordinated relief efforts following a request from Morobe PDC.   IOM collaborated closely with the National Disaster Centre, the Morobe PDC, and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) to provide timely support to disaster-affected communities. The collaboration facilitated to the release of prepositioned non-food items and shelter repair tool kits to assist vulnerable groups, including women, persons living with disabilities, older persons, and internally displaced persons. 

Overall, the emergency supplies were dispatched to 250 displaced households, benefiting approximately 1,250 individuals across wards 12, 13, and 17 in the Ahi Local Level Government area of Nawaeb District. All kits were prepositioned in Lae, the provincial capital of Morobe Province, identified by IOM as a strategic prepositioning location for a quick and efficient disaster response. The distributed items included water jerry cans, soap, kitchen utensils, blankets, sleeping mats, solar lights, and essential tools for shelter repair and construction. 

James Bau, a community leader from ward 17, expressed his gratitude: “These items will help families rebuild after the devastation caused by flooding.” 

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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby: 

Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int  

Anne Mandal, Tel: +675 72026763, Email: amandal@iom.int