Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the National Disaster Centre and Provincial Disaster Centres in West New Britain (WNB), and Simbu, launched the Provincial Disaster Risk Management (DRM) strategy and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for WNB and Simbu. 

Developed through the generous financial assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and technical assistance from IOM, the Provincial DRM Strategy is aligned with the four priority actions of the Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework 2017-2030, namely, understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and, “build back better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.  

“I would like to thank all the hardworking staff particularly from the West New Britain Provincial Administration and IOM for their commitment and dedication to developing this strategy and organizing this event. I would also like to thank all disaster risk management stakeholders that were involved in the consultations during the drafting of this strategy,” said the Governor for WNB, Honourable Sasindran Muthuvel, Member of Parliament. 

The Acting District Administrator for Nakanai, Wilfred Augustine thanked USAID and IOM for their assistance in developing the strategy document saying, “We are very fortunate and grateful to have generous development partners such as USAID and IOM who provided the funding and technical assistance to develop this strategy for West New Britain province.” 

He highlighted the importance of the strategy in building resilience saying, “This province is prone to many natural hazards and hosts active volcanoes that have in the past displaced several communities. We can now better prepare, coordinate, and implement risk reduction initiatives.”  

IOM, funded by USAID also launched the Provincial DRM strategy for Simbu province on 23 February 2023. The launch event in Kundiawa town, Simbu Province, was attended by a large representation of several government departments, led by the representative of the Governor, and two Deputy Provincial Administrators, Chris Mondo, Deputy for Field Services, and Kale Simai, Deputy for Programmes.  

Funding constraints were highlighted by Chris Mondo, Deputy for Field Services of Simbu Province, who commended the ‘long standing partnership of the Simbu Province with IOM’ and summarized the fragility of the province vis-a-vis natural hazards. Government actors present at the launch highlighted that they welcome funding support from partners in executing the strategy. 

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