Papua New Guinea - Almost 2.5 million people have been affected by the drought and cold attributed to the deepening El Niño phenomenon ravaging the highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the country’s National Disaster Centre. Deaths related to diseases and starvations have already been reported. 

IOM, operating as part of the joint UN effort, has responded by opening three field offices in the remote provinces of Enga, Simbu and Jiwaka, with funds from USAID, to ensure rapid and effective aid delivery.

In Simbu Province, at the request of the local government, IOM distributed relief kits following a drought-related bush fire. The kits contained tarpaulins, hammers, nails, bush knifes, ropes, blankets, pots, cooking utensils and other non-food items. Some 64 collapsible water containers were also donated to the Wabag and Kundiawa provincial warehouses, with an additional 2,000 on the way, to combat the scarcity of water at health facilities.

“Government, communities and humanitarian partners must pull together as one to confront the effects of this drought,” said George Gigauri, IOM Chief of Mission in PNG.

With the duration of the drought expected to last into the early months of 2016, IOM’s planned interventions will continue to include the distribution of essential aid to the most vulnerable households.

It will also educate communities on health and hygiene, train farmers in conservation, drill and rehabilitate boreholes, distribute drought-resistant seedlings, and work to mitigate tribal conflict and ensure durable solutions for the internally displaced.  

For more information, please contact Wonesai Sithole at IOM PNG, Tel: + 675 703 163 55, Email: wsithole@iom.int.