Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided emergency shelter kits and non-food items to families displaced as a result of violence in Almanda community in Nipa district in Southern Highlands province and Ombal community in Margarima district in Hela province. At least 278 houses were torched, and an estimated 1,500 persons were displaced and forced to flee to neighboring villages and mountains to escape the armed violence that started in June 2022.    

In response to the needs of the displaced families, IOM, through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), delivered shelter and non-food items on 28 September to 369 displaced families (2,452 people).  

Local authorities, partners and community volunteers took part in distributing the materials from IOM. The materials included tarpaulins, ropes, nails, hammers, saws, axes, garden spades, collapsible water containers, and kitchen utensils.  

“These tarpaulins will provide our families temporary shelter while waiting to return to our villages and rebuild our homes when it is safe to do so,” said a representative from Ombal community. “We understand that it is at times not easy to reach out to conflict-areas because of safety reasons, and we thank you for your help,” he added.  

IOM, funded by USAID/BHA has so far reached 615 families (3,921 people) with relief assistance in the form of emergency shelter and non-food items.  

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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int