Papua New Guinea

COUNTRY INFORMATION

Region: Pacific

Population: 9,119,005

Capital: Port Moresby

GDP (Million US$): 26,594

Disaster Risk Profile: Prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, cyclones, river flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, droughts.

Inform Risk Rating: 5.9

Organizational Structure for Disaster Management

National Disaster Centre

Established as the national focal point for disaster risk management with focus on risk management and community government liaison. The NDC also provides advice to the National Executive Council during emergencies and coordinates disaster risk reduction activities at the provincial level.

National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC)

Plays the central role in disaster risk management arrangements and is advised by the NDMO. The NDMC reports on the planning and budgeting arrangements for disaster risk reduction programs and projects; any policy or legislation amendments on disaster risk management; and the national state of preparedness for emergencies.

National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)

The day-to-day focal point for disaster risk management activities and plays a critical role in ensuring the aims and objectives of the national disaster risk management strategy are achieved. The NDMO also ensures coordination between government and non-government agencies at the national-level.

Provincial Executive Council (PEC)

Act as the primary administrative divisions of the country and play a key role in the national strategy for reducing disaster risk. The PEC hold the ultimate responsibility for disaster risk management at the provincial level with support from PDMCs, that support in formulating disaster risk reduction and disaster management policies/laws.

Provincial Disaster Management Committee (PDMC)

Acts as the adviser to the PEC on disaster management at the provincial level. The PDMC holds primary responsibility in monitoring the progress and effectiveness of all disaster risk reduction plans, projects and initiatives. Each PDMC also appoints a Provincial Disaster Management Coordinator to head the Provincial Disaster Management Office.

District and Local Level Disaster Committees

Follow the same structure of the PDMCs and conduct similar responsibilities and roles at their respective levels.

Progress under each Sendai Priority

Papua New Guinea is currently working on establishing a national baseline to conduct risk assessments at the national and sub-national level to strengthen understanding of disaster risk under Priority 1. To strengthen its governance system, a review of disster impacts was conducted to identify priorities for mainstreaming disaster management into development. This has been followed up with a national plan that highlights PNG's framework under each of the four Sendai Priorities.

Investments in disaster risk reduction has been a priority for PNG with a national budget allocation of over 30 million USD allocated for disaster risk management efforts. In reference to enhancing disaster preparedness and building back better, the NDC has been the leading agency for coordination relief and response operations, however, due to the varying geographical terrain of PNG, the Highlands Humanitarian Hub (HHH) has also been established for highland region response in emergencies. Efforts on early warning have been focused on flood while initiatives post-disaster recovery efforts are centered around PNG's Standardized Multi-sectoral Rapid Needs Assessment tool. Find out more.

NDMO Contact Information

Disaster Management Centre

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