The Humanitarian Assistance Response for communities affected by the recent Mount Ulawun volcano in the West New Britain Province has been enhanced.
This after the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) have signed a USD $500,000 partnership agreement.
This will now allow IOM to reach 4,250 volcano-affected people with relief supplies, including water containers, soap, cooking utensils, sleep mats, and cleaning and gardening tools and signals the continuation of USAID/BHA’s strong support for IOM’s response to the volcano affected population.
IOM PNG Chief of Mission Serhan Aktoprak said amidst the recurring escalating emergency situations in the country, they really appreciate the USAID/BHA for their steadfast partnership.
“Together, we are committed to addressing the deteriorating situation and providing vital assistance to the most vulnerable groups.”
Apart from the direct provision of relief supplies, IOM also deployed its gender inclusive Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), to identify 17,109 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across sites in West New Britain (WNB) and East New Britain (ENB).
More than half of IDPs (8,565) are from local villages. The remaining 8,544 are private sector company evacuees.
The majority of IDPs are staying at care centres and the remaining are staying in transitional shelters or in host communities.
These assessments will provide government, donors, and humanitarian actors, with crucial information about the displacement situation and also informs the relief supplies that have been provided through the continued USAID/BHA funding.
This new funding allocation from USAID/BHA will enable IOM to continue providing lifesaving assistance to 850 families displaced across ENB and WNB provinces.
IOM is the lead implementing organization providing humanitarian assistance, transition, and recovery support to disaster-affected populations in the country.