Attachments
This update is produced by the Papua New Guinea Disaster Management Team (DMT) in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period of 17 September to 16 October 2022. Succeeding updates will be produced only as significant new information is available.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Official assessments from Morobe, Madang and Eastern Highlands indicated 21 total deaths and 30 people with injuries.
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1,076 permanent, semi-permanent and traditional houses damaged or destroyed.
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PGK 10m (USD 2.8m) from the PNG national government and USD 100k from the Red Cross Society of China presented to the Secretary of Defence and National Disaster Committee Chairman.
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Morobe provincial government distributed basic shelter kits to some Markham District villages.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
The provincial disaster management authorities of Morobe, Madang and Eastern Highlands published official assessment reports. Totals of common indicators among the reports are as follows:
The Morobe assessment report indicated 3,211 people in total were affected and 191 food gardens were damaged or destroyed in 8 districts, namely Lae, Huon, Markham, Nawaeb, Kabum, Wau/Waria, Tewai/Siassi and Finschhafen. Properties in 7 educational institutions in Markham and Huon districts sustained damages. Classes have been suspended in the schools of Markham District. Other affected community infrastructures include water sources, power lines, public buildings, jetties, and roads. Along with damage to jetties and roads, increased risk of landslides and landslips also affect accessibility of affected areas. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently take refuge with relatives or friends.
The Madang provincial administration reported that 5 educational institutions in the affected districts, Dike Bridge in Raicoast District and Dilup Bridge in Sumkar District were negatively impacted.
According to the Eastern Highlands assessment report, the University of Goroka student dormitory was damaged to the extent that 1,600 resident students were forced to vacate and stay in a number of classrooms.
The university library was similarly impacted along with other schools, churches, health facilities, water tanks, food and cash crop gardens and bridges in the Kainantu and Obura/Wonerara districts, as well as roads, particularly the Okuk highway between Kainantu town and Kassam Pass.
Between 17 September and 14 October, the National Command Centre received a total of 24 calls. No calls were received after 28 September. One call on 17 September reported the discovery of a dead body buried by a landslide. Four calls reported on destroyed properties. The remaining calls were just following up on previous calls and information from other sources. There were 8 calls from Morobe, 7 from Madang, 3 from Eastern Highlands, 2 from Western Highlands, and one each for East Sepik, West Sepik, East New Britain and Oro.