Attachments
Overview
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ranked as the 9th with the highest disaster risk rating globally as of 2021. The country is prone to many natural disasters including cyclones, drought, earthquakes, floods, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions due to its geographic location.
In addition, PNG is ranked #51 on Global Climate Risk Index 2021 , much higher than its Pacific counterparts implying its high vulnerability to climate disasters and impacts.
A World Bank study published in 2021 suggests that hazards such as flash floods, landslide, and coastal flooding are all likely to intensify. The population affected by river flooding and its economic damages is projected to double by 2030. Exposure to hazards is significant and likely to increase, with many rural communities living in flood and landslide risk areas, and coastal communities and infrastructure exposed to sea-level rise with potential amplification of future storm surges.
Extreme heat is very likely to present a human health risk in PNG, with health risks associated with potential new exposure to diseases being poorly understood, while degradation of natural resources, including water sources, and shifts in the viable ranges for plant and animal species, potentially reducing agricultural yields, and accelerating the decline of PNG’s unique ecosystems.
In short, without significant global mitigation and local adaptation action, PNG’s communities face very significant increases in disaster risk as a result of climate change, which are likely to disproportionately burden the poorest communities.
Aspirations
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Build communities’ resilience to and preparedness for extreme weather events through crop diversification, climate smart agriculture initiatives and prudential savings culture
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Promotion of sustainable land and critical habitat management.
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Enhance sustainable livelihood environment through improved ecosystem and biodiversity conservation
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Improve access to climate-responsive water and sanitation in both rural and urban areas
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Increase communities’ awareness and capacity to prepare, mitigate and respond to climate disasters