PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) has launched an advanced disaster resilience initiative to improve preparedness and response for vulnerable communities.
The Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Phase II (BSRP II) project was officially launched today at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby, officiated by Secretary for the Department for Community Development and Religion, Mr. Jerry Ubase, and Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre, Mr. Laso Mana.
Mr Laso Mana thanked the South Pacific Community (SPC) and the European Union (EU) for its commitment to strengthening PNG’s resilience to natural hazards, aligning with Mission 2050 and the Medium-Term Development Plan 4 (MTDP4).
“The effectiveness of early warning information relies on the establishment of multifaceted, multilayered, and integrated projects and programs. The BSRP project aims to improve and strengthen this framework.
“By understanding our common natural hazard risks and their implications for human security, we can optimize early warning systems to ensure effective information flow both vertically and horizontally,” said Mr. Laso Mana in his opening remarks.
Secretary Ubase also thanked the support of the SPC and the EU in strengthening PNG’s disaster preparedness, particularly for women, girls, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
“As the department committed to protecting rights and empowering all aspects of human life, we emphasize ensuring a safety net for women, girls, the elderly, and people with disabilities, particularly in disaster risk reduction efforts.
“To enhance accessibility to essential services, we are establishing District Community Development Centres (DCDC), which will serve as mini-departments at the district level.
“These centres will deliver mandated programs, including Social Impact Assessments on Disaster Impacts, to promote a healthier, safer, and more sustainable environment for all communities,” Ubase said.
Funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund, the EUR 14 million project spans 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste. Given PNG’s vulnerability to seismic activity, extreme weather, and climate-related disasters, this initiative is a crucial step toward sustainable development.
Joining via Zoom, SPC’s Geoscience, Energy, and Maritime Division Director, Mrs. Rhonda Robinson, described the launch as a significant milestone in building resilient Pacific communities. She emphasized the importance of strengthening early warning systems, improving infrastructure, and ensuring inclusive disaster planning.
The project’s National Steering Committee in PNG includes representatives from the National Disaster Centre, National Weather Service, Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory, Department of Community Development and Religion, and Department of Education.
