Situation Report
- No change in official death toll of 22 Nov (164) despite media reports of over 250.
- Oro province virtually cut off, with the only access being sea-borne or helicopters. Heavy winds continue and weather remains unpredictable.
- Assessments becoming available but more qualitative than quantitative. They are however sufficient to confirm approx 10,000 known IDPs (with entire villages being hosted by neighbouring villages). Food followed by water the most pressing issues and gardens need to be re-established urgently.
- Some reports of diarrhoeal diseases especially along the coastline and Popendetta water supply still not restored.
- Public and media criticism in PNG over the speed of the relief effort has fallen off in favour of coverage of the supply efforts that are going in.
National Response
- In spite of all the challenges, the Emergency Operation Centre in Popendetta is working well and aid agencies are coordinating well. The distribution of relief items (including water, food, shelter materials and medicines) is picking up and the provision of needs assessments and situation reports is improving.
- The first wave of supplies have been distributed to the three most affected areas (Tufi, Kokoda, Itokama) in the Northern province. There is however still a considerable number of unmet needs and the three forward bases require back-filling.
- Inter-agency teams are currently conducting village level assessments, focusing on overall priority needs, sectoral needs, and the number of affected households.
- The slow release of GOPNG funds continues to hamper the deployment of official resources and is causing some frustration.
International Response
Donors
- The Royal Australian Air Force support, which includes C-130 Hercules and Caribou transport aircraft as well as three Black Hawk helicopters, has enabled food and non-food items to be distributed to many isolated areas.
- The French CASA aircraft which arrived earlier in the week with 2MT of aid material, has been assisting with the delivery of relief items.
New Zealand Response
NZAID
- Foreign Minister Peters and Defence Minister Goff announced today the NZ Air Force Hercules which left Whenuapai bound for Girua Airport, now the primary logistical distribution hub near Popendetta. It carries NZAID emergency supplies requested by the PNG Government that include tarpaulins, collapsible water containers and blankets. The flight includes a TVNZ journalist and cameraman with the footage expected to air on TV1 news programmes on Monday.
- The relief items will be distributed according to an AusAID/NDC distribution plan and dropped off in villages and care centres. Given there are relatively few NGOs working on the ground, there is no formal distribution channel through NGOs yet, although the Anglican Church has a comprehensive distribution network, and many items are going through them.
- NZAID is currently replenishing its supplies in Auckland.
- Port Moresby HC staff continue to participate in daily briefings and are working closely with the PNG Government, donors, UN agencies and NGOs involved in the response.
- Further funding will be based on a needs assessment and options are currently being considered.
Red Cross
- Emergency items that include tarpaulins, water containers, blankets and 120 kitchen kits are also on the C130 that left today and will be used to assist flood victims and to help replenish stocks in the country.
- A New Zealand Red Cross worker is in the area and providing situation reports.
- The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal.
NGOs
- Council for International Development (CID) continues to advise on NZ-based NGOs in the area.
- Caritas Aotearoa NZ (CANZ) has pledged NZ$50,000 to the Archdiocese of POM and is carrying out a needs assessment. Working in 5 camps with the Salvation Army (with tents provided by the Red Cross) and targeting about 190 families. Funds will be partly for immediate relief work and partly for shelter rehabilitation. CANZ does not have an office in PNG so response being coordinated through local contacts and Caritas Australia. Information 0800 22 10 22.
- Oxfam NZ (ONZ) has launched an appeal and is providing NZ$50,000 (HAF funding) for initial response and a more comprehensive plan for assistance will be developed once the full extent of the need is assessed. A NZ water and sanitation engineer has joined the assessment team and the ONZ Human Resource Manager is in Moresby supporting the administrative side of emergency response. Oxfam is airlifting 3 bladder tanks (mobile water storage systems), 2,000 tarpaulins and 3,000 jerry cans to flood affected populations. Appeal details 0800 600 700.
- Save the Children New Zealand is currently liasing with UNICEF with a view to possibly providing a jointly organised focussed intervention for children in the early recovery period. This could involve establishing a child-safe space and providing some psychosocial support. Waiting on needs assessments. SCNZ has offered NZ$25,000 to SC PNG.
- World Vision (International) has been working with the NDC since the onset of the disaster to and is involved with the daily briefings. It has provided US$80,000, of which US$50,000 is via HAF funding. Intend to take an active role in relief distribution processes and procedures through the provision of staff to assist with monitoring and evaluation and to enable communities to provide feedback. For information 0800 800 776. Food and non-food items.
The 24 hour NZAID Pacific emergency mobile duty phone is 021 469 243.
Note: please copy any correspondence to EMDR@nzaid.govt.nz and responders@hotmail.com (means that members of the NZAID Emergency Response Team can access).