The United States is providing immediate emergency assistance to communities affected by Mount Ulawun volcanic eruptions through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is providing US $500,000 (1.85 million Kina) to meet immediate humanitarian needs and assist displaced families in safely returning to their homes when permitted by the government of Papua New Guinea. This contribution supplements existing USAID-supported disaster preparedness programs, through which USAID partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) immediately deployed disaster response experts to assess evacuee needs in support of provincial authorities in West New Britain and East New Britain. Since November 20, multiple eruptions from Papua New Guinea’s Mount Ulawun Volcano have resulted in five deaths, affecting over 24,000 people and displacing over 16,000 people to evacuation centres in East New Britain and West New Britain provinces. Ash plumes rose at least 15,000 meters from the volcano, with lava and ash fall harming oil palm trees, water sources, household gardens, and properties in nearby areas. U.S Embassy Chargéd’Affaires Katherine Monahan expressed delight in being able to provide assistance. “Leveraging our humanitarian expertise, the United States is pleased to answer the request of our partner, the Government of Papua New Guinea, and support its efforts in response to eruptions at Mount Ulawun.” Long-standing USAID investments in disaster risk reduction programs in Papua New Guinea and throughout the Pacific are ongoing throughout the year. Since 2013, USAID has been assisting IOM in strengthening community-based disaster risk management planning, disaster preparedness planning, and safe shelter assistance. Recently, USAID provided US $500,000 in critical relief items such as shelter and water tanks in response to the Mount Bagana eruption in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. The US military provided critical equipment and transportation to assist in the last-mile delivery of emergency relief to thousands of people in hard-to-reach areas at the request of USAID.