Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) disaster preparedness and response capacity is set to be strengthened following the launch of a new USD 4.5 million joint programme funded by the Australian Government through the United Nations (UN) Country Fund II and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The launch followed the first Programme Steering Committee meeting for the initiative: Strengthening Humanitarian Preparedness and Response to Disaster-Induced Displacement in Papua New Guinea.
In 2024, more than 214,000 people were affected by disasters and nearly 31,000 were displaced, highlighting the urgent need for stronger systems to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to crises.
The programme aims to strengthen disaster management through a data‑driven, systems‑focused and community‑resilience‑oriented, and health‑sensitive approach. It will improve access to displacement data, bolster preparedness and response capabilities, and enhance coordination among the National Disaster Centre, the National Department of Health and provincial authorities.
UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard underscored the programme’s importance: “The integration of health and emergency management is crucial in a country as hazard-prone and geographically challenging as Papua New Guinea."
"This Joint Programme represents exactly the kind of coordinated, multisectoral approach that saves lives.”
Deputy Secretary for Health, Ken Wai, highlighted the central role of health in emergencies: “Health is cross-cutting across all sectors, especially during disasters. It is very important that programmes like this strengthen the health system as part of national preparedness and response.”
Representing the Australian Government, Claudia Cooney reaffirmed Australia’s commitment: “The Australian Government is very pleased to support this initiative and to continue working together to strengthen Papua New Guinea’s resilience.”
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary for the PNG Defense Force, Deputy Secretary Doreen Joel emphasized the importance of preparedness: “When disasters strike, our forces support evacuations, deliver relief, and restore essential services. This Joint Programme strengthens the systems that make those operations possible.”
The programme was officially launched on 27 March 2026 in Port Moresby, with participation from more than 50 representatives from government agencies, development parters, the UN, disaster management stakeholders, and provincial authorities.
While national in scope, the programme will prioritise seven high risk provinces: East New Britain, West New Britain, Western, Southern Highlands, East Sepik, Madang, and Jiwaka.
As climate-related and geological hazards intensify, the programme represents a major investment in strengthening PNG’s ability to protect communities when disasters occur.
