Port Moresby – IOM provided Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) training to 60 provincial, district and local level government officials, partners, and community focal points from Margarima, Hulia Komo and Koroba Lake Kopiago districts in Hela Province. The training was conducted with the aim of improving partners’ knowledge and skills to collect, analyze and timely disseminate data on displacement induced by manmade and natural hazards.  

As part of the training, participants also learned about gender and youth mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction and inclusive peacebuilding in strengthening community resilience.    

“The process of collecting and sharing data with the government and humanitarian organizations is crucial to inform responses targeting the affected population, especially the most vulnerable groups such as people living with disabilities, the elderly, children and women,” said Kenny Kewi, a participant at the training. “This training has improved my understanding of the importance of collecting accurate data in the event of a disaster or displacement,” added Kewi.    

Participants echoed the need to strengthen information collection and dissemination and establish a network that will promote this initiative in collaboration with local authorities in the province.  

A church leader from Koroba district, Ruth Paku highlighted, “Women and children are the most vulnerable members of the community during displacement, and many of us have observed these following incidents of tribal fights in different parts of the province. I feel that I am now more informed on the importance of the use of data for planning, response and peacebuilding,” she added.  

IOM continues to work closely with the Hela Provincial Government and partners to strengthen resilience and peacebuilding through its disaster risk reduction and peacebuilding programming through generous funding from the Hela Provincial Government, the United States Agency for International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.  

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For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby,  Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int