Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the North Fly District Administration and Western Provincial Disaster Office, officially opened the evacuation center and water supply system for the Gibaretimin community on 26 October 2022.  

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), IOM is working closely with local authorities in Western province, and Gibaretimin community to build resilience and advance community-driven sustainable development.    

Like other communities along the Western province’s Fly River, Gibaretimin is prone to natural hazards including flooding, drought, and strong winds, as well as the impacts of climate change.  If not addressed, for example, through risk reduction and resilience building measures, the occurrence of such localized natural hazards can pose threats to human lives and safe drinking water sources. 

As part of its interventions, IOM improved the knowledge and skills of community focal points (CFPs) through training in disaster risk management. IOM also provided technical support in the planning, drafting, and execution of the community-based disaster risk management plan.  

It was during the planning sessions that members of the Gibaretimin community identified the installation of water points and multi-purpose community hall, that also serve an evacuation centre, as priority risk reduction interventions to receive material assistance from IOM and USAID.   

“These projects do not belong to any particular individual, but to everyone, and we all must ensure that these community assets are well maintained,” highlighted Gom Devi, Councilor for Drimdamasuk Ward 8 in North Fly District.  

Present at the launch included local community members, provincial government, church representatives, and North Fly District Disaster Response Coordinator, Max Maina.  

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For further information, please contact at 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