Acting New Ireland Provincial Administrator Dennis Kosam has welcomed a joint national and international assessment team to New Ireland Province to conduct an independent evaluation of ongoing El Niño weather impacts across the region.

Upon arrival in Kavieng, the joint team met with provincial officials and was formally welcomed by Mr. Kosam on behalf of New Ireland Governor, Hon. Byron Chan.

During the briefing, Mr. Kosam affirmed the New Ireland Provincial Administration’s full support and commitment to working closely with the visiting delegation. He emphasized that this collaborative effort is vital to gathering accurate, ground-level data to guide effective resource planning.

"Our administration is fully committed to working alongside this assessment team to ensure we compile accurate data," Mr. Kosam stated. "Reliable information is critical for proper budgeting and sound decision-making, ensuring that national resource allocations to each affected province are fair and proportionate to the actual needs on the ground."

The independent evaluation will assess agricultural impacts, water security, and community vulnerabilities caused by the prolonged dry conditions in New Ireland. These findings will form the basis for targeted relief and recovery interventions.

Operating as the New Guinea Islands (NGI) Assessment Team, the delegation is led by the National Disaster Centre (NDC) alongside representatives from key national and international partner agencies:

• Michaeline Rave – Team Leader, National Disaster Centre (NDC) NGI Assessment Team

• Simon Kafu – United Nations Advisory Team

• John Polie – Department of Agriculture and Livestock

• Edmond Bannick – Department of National Planning and Monitoring

Mr. Kosam has urged local communities across New Ireland Province to welcome the assessment team and cooperate fully as they carry out their fieldwork.