Attachments
DISPLACEMENT OVERVIEW
Natural hazards and extreme weather events, such as flooding, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, significantly drive displacement in Papua New Guinea. This is compounded by tribal violence, limited access to services, and the loss of livelihoods. As a result, displaced communities face urgent needs for food, water, shelter, and protection among other needs.
Natural hazards accounted for most displacements, with 71 per cent (21,878 people) displaced, while conflict accounted for 29 per cent. Flooding alone caused 38 per cent of displacements (11,835 people), followed by landslides (20%, 6,135 people). Additionally, 11 per cent (3,385 people) were displaced by both flooding and landslides, and two per cent (523 people) by flooding and earthquakes. This report summarizes the 21 assessments conducted by IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea National Disaster Centre (NDC), Provincial Disaster Centres (PDCs), and partners. The assessments, carried out throughout 2024, covered 52 wards in 38 districts across 14 provinces, documenting an estimated 214,342 individuals affected by conflict and natural hazard-induced hazards. Additionally, 39,341 individuals were displaced as a result of these events. Displacement remains a critical concern for Papua New Guinea.
The start of 2024 saw extensive flooding and landslides across the provinces of Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Chimbu, and Eastern Highlands. Significant loss of life, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure damage were recorded, leaving displaced individuals hosted in temporary accommodation centres, makeshift shelters, and being hosted by local families. Between April and July, heavy rainfall resulted in significant flooding in the Western, Morobe, and Gulf Provinces. The heavy rains caused the breaking of a series of major riverbanks including the Bumbu, Busu, Bulolo, Mape, Waria and Yalu/Munum Rivers in Morobe Province, and the Fly and Strickland rivers in Western Province. As a result, significant damage to the surrounding areas was reported, destroying latrines, gardens and homes.
Although no displacement was observed as a result of the flooding in Kerema and Kikori districts (Gulf province) in May of 2024, a significant number of the local population was impacted (10,765 individuals affected), primarily due to the contamination of the water supplies and destruction of sanitation facilities. The impact of flooding goes beyond immediate destruction, to longer-term concerns relating to water, sanitation and hygiene, and the gender-related vulnerabilities this can heighten. Related concerns have arisen with the flooding of River Naru in Southern Highlands Province on 5 December. Local residents expressed the unprecedented nature of the event, highlighting the importance of assisted response efforts in mitigating damage and recovery in areas that are less prone to disaster.