Papua New Guinea

Digicel network users in Hela and Southern Highlands Province continue to receive life-saving messages and access pre-recorded automated voice messages. Over 38,000 callers have listened in on the automated voice messages in 2 weeks. An increase of 20,000 calls were made this week targeting 50,000 automated voice messages.

Funding required: $25.31 B

Funding received: $2.97 B

Funding percentage: 11.8%

People in need: 131.1 M

People to receive aid: 95.1 M

Countries affected: 36

As at 31 March 2018, UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plans (HRP) and the Syria 3RP Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan require US$25.31 billion to meet the humanitarian needs of 131.1 million crisis-affected people in 26 countries.

Summary:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) was granted on 1 November 2017 for CHF 88,808 to the PNGRCS. The DREF reached 9,132 people, of which 57 cases were identified as directly reached through vaccination/mobilisation messages; over 50,000 people were indirectly benefited from social mobilisation campaign in 33 villages.

MYANMAR

Highlights

• Since the initial 26 February earthquake, 194 aftershocks have occurred, of which six were of a 6.0 or greater magnitude. Provision of water, basic healthcare, nutrition, sanitation and psychosocial services, tied to getting children back to school, remain priority needs.

• Since the beginning of the response, 15.7 Metric Tonnes of UNICEF-controlled supplies have been transported from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen with support from the Australian Defence Force.

This report is produced by the National Disaster Centre and the Office of the Resident Coordinator in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by the Disaster Management Team Secretariat, and covers the period from 10 to 16 April 2018. The next report will be issued on or around 26 April 2018.

Background

• 270,000 people are in need of assistance across four provinces of Papua New Guinea’s highlands.

• 11,041 households (42,577 people) remain displaced in nine care centres.

A Manus Island refugee in Port Moresby says the Papua New Guinea immigration authority assisted by the army conducted a dawn raid yesterday at a motel in the capital.

Read more on Radio New Zealand International.

PORT MORESBY, April 18, 2018— The World Bank Group and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) today awarded over $79,000 to a non-governmental organization in Papua New Guinea to help reduce incidents of gender-based violence (GBV).

1. Logistics Operational Updates

Australian Defence Force (ADF) C-130J was available until 15 April. After the departure of ADF C-130J on 16 April, out of the submitted Request for Assistance (RFA), over 70 MT of WFP and IFRC food and non-food items still require air assistance from Port Moresby to Moro and Mt. Hagen and from Mt. Hagen to Moro.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon announces £2.9 million for human rights projects across the Commonwealth, with particular focus on the South Pacific and small states.

UK Minister for Human Rights today announces 3 projects to support human rights across the Commonwealth, with particular focus on the South Pacific and small states. This £2.9 million work will support member states, regional organisations and human rights institutions in promoting human rights standards across the Commonwealth, with a focus on equality and adherence to international human rights obligations.

MYANMAR

At least 132 people have been killed, 500 injured and about 43,000 uprooted from their homes, while 270,000 are urgently in need of assistance

By Jared Ferrie

PHNOM PENH, April 12 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Violence rooted in tribalism and frustration at the slow response following earthquakes in Papua New Guinea was blocking efforts to reach those in need, aid workers said on Thursday.

Introduction

Disaster events have lasting impacts on people, communities, and socioeconomic development. Countries in the Pacific are among the most exposed, globally, to natural disasters, including floods, droughts, cyclones, and earthquakes. The effects of climate change threaten to increase the severity and frequency of hazard events in the Pacific region, emphasizing the need for Pacific island countries to protect themselves against corresponding social and economic consequences.

Highlights

• Following the February 7.5 magnitude earthquake, numerous aftershocks continue to cause significant fear and anxiety, forcing many people to remain outside and away from their village land.

• Provision of water, basic health services and psychosocial services tied to getting back to school are priority needs.

• The most recent assessment results indicate that 73 per cent of earthquake-affected areas are accessible by road, while 27 per cent require alternate approaches.

Highlights

• IOM continues to co-lead the Shelter and CCCM cluster with NDC and will establish a pipeline of 800 community reconstruction kits and 2000 displaced family kits to cover need for 6000 families (30,000 people).

• 438 displaced households sheltering in care centres—Lil, Kopa and Pongal—in Nipa Kutubu District of Southern Highlands Province received mixed NFI kits including kitchen sets, water containers and hygiene items.

This report is produced by the National Disaster Centre and the Office of the Resident Coordinator in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It was issued by the Disaster Management Team Secretariat, and covers the period from 5 to 11 April 2018. The next report will be issued on or around 19 April 2018.

Background

• 270 000 people are in need of assistance across four provinces of Papua New Guinea’s highlands.

• 11, 041 households (55,205 people) remain displaced in nine care centres.