Prime Minister James Marape has assured that the National Government will relocate the 7,849 people directly affected by the Mulitaka landslip.
The government has committed K20 million to assist recovery efforts and will work with the Enga Provincial Government on an evacuation plan.
“The State will acquire land away from the disaster site and properly settle people in a stable area,” Marape said.
He clarified that the disaster zone remains unstable, preventing body retrieval and road reopening, as geo-technical assessments from New Zealand and Australian defense forces indicate further risk of landslips.
He also noted that efforts to establish an accurate death toll are slow due to the instability of the disaster zone and the area’s role as a rural trading spot near the Porgera Gold Mine.
So far, six bodies have been retrieved, with many more casualties expected, and over 150 structures have been destroyed.
Meantime, the Prime Minister has expressed gratitude to global bilateral partners and relief agencies for their immediate and unprecedented support following the Mulitaka landslip.
“I want to thank all our global bilateral partner nations who have sent well wishes, relief aid, and pledges for assistance toward reconstruction,” Marape said.