Port Moresby, 7 August – A significant stride in tackling the Mulitaka displacement crisis was made with the successful conduct of a joint planning workshop on Solutions to Internal Displacement.

This pivotal event united diverse stakeholders to formulate solutions for communities affected by the Mulitaka landslide disaster in Enga province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Held in Wabag town, the workshop drew 39 men and 11 women participants, including representatives from the Enga Provincial Government, National Disaster Center, district authorities, PNG Red Cross Society, Non-Governmental Organizations, faith-based organizations, local community leaders from the disaster affected areas, civil society organizations, media, and the United Nations.

Organized by the Enga Provincial Government in partnership with the United Nations, and with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the workshop aimed to foster a coordinated approach to better address the landslide disaster. The event served as a platform for in-depth discussions on durable solutions for the internally displaced persons. Key topics included an overview of the current situation, displacement figures, the status of interventions, and the presentation of the government’s recovery plan.

"This workshop represents a critical step in our collective efforts to address the displacement crisis in Mulitaka. Our goal is to ensure that every action we take is rooted in collaboration and geared towards providing lasting solutions for the affected communities," said Laso Mana, Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre, while emphasizing the workshop's significance.

Enga Provincial Administrator, Sandis Tsaka, echoed this sentiment. "Today's discussions highlight our shared commitment to tackling the challenges faced by the displaced populations. By working together, we can overcome the obstacles and implement effective solutions that will bring stability to those in need," he highlighted.

The workshop marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing response to the Mulitaka landslide, highlighting a united effort among national, provincial, district, local level, and international partners to develop and implement protection-centric, and sustainable interventions.

The outcomes of this workshop will guide the implementation of targeted actions to support the communities affected by the Mulitaka landslide. The collaborative efforts and shared commitment demonstrated during the workshop underscore the importance of partnership in disaster response, and post crises interventions.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the successful completion of the joint planning workshop on Solutions to Internal Displacement signifies a robust and unified actions to the Mulitaka disaster.

***

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