Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has directed all Provincial and District Administrations throughout Papua New Guinea to immediately mobilise Disaster Relief and Assistance for communities affected by the ongoing El Niño-induced dry weather conditions and other Disaster-related challenges, assuring the nation that the Marape-Rosso Government remains committed to supporting affected communities. Prime Minister Marape said the National Government has already made Disaster Funding available for transfer to the relevant accounts, and District and Provincial Authorities must now take responsibility for ensuring that assistance reaches people who need it most. “We have Funds for Disaster Transfer to all our accounts already. I want all our Districts to start get to work on making sure our people are saved and let’s start to work on this,” Prime Minister Marape said. The Prime Minister stressed that the Government’s immediate priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of citizens, particularly those in rural and remote communities experiencing difficulties associated with prolonged dry weather and other natural disasters. He said the Government recognises the challenges confronting affected communities and is determined to ensure that assistance is coordinated effectively through established District, Provincial and National Government structures.
Prime Minister Marape called on all District Administrators and relevant Government Authorities to take proactive measures to identify affected communities, assess their immediate needs and coordinate appropriate Relief Assistance without unnecessary delays. “Every District must now step up their game in making sure we attend to our people’s needs wherever they are. We have no time to waste. Start to assist our people,” he said. The Prime Minister emphasised that District Administrations are the first points of contact for communities requiring assistance and must work closely with Provincial Authorities to ensure that emerging Disaster situations are promptly reported and
addressed. He encouraged citizens experiencing hardship from the prevailing weather conditions and related disasters to immediately contact their respective District Administrations. “If any one of you out there throughout our country feeling this, as I’ve always been saying, go to your District Administrators,” Prime Minister Marape said.
Prime Minister Marape further announced that the National Security Advisory Council would be convened later this week to assess the impact of Disasters across Papua New Guinea and consider the necessary coordinated National Response. He said Provincial Administrations would play a central role in coordinating Disaster responses within their respective jurisdictions, including consolidating District-level assessments and identifying areas requiring additional National Government support. “Our Province coordinates this. Later this week we’re calling the National Security Advisory Council to sit and to look through the impact of Disaster right throughout our country,” he said. The Prime Minister said the National Government would continue working closely with Provincial Governments and District Administrations to ensure that Disaster response measures are properly coordinated, targeted and responsive to the needs of affected populations.
Prime Minister Marape assured Provincial and District Authorities that the National Government stands ready to consider additional assistance where necessary, provided that requests are supported by clear assessments, documented needs and evidence of action already undertaken. “If we need more help, you shout out, yell out, but it must be based on what you’re doing,” he said. “We have a look at what you’re doing, and your Province will assemble the Provincial plans, and National Government will stand behind to assist where we can.”
The Prime Minister emphasised that effective Disaster Management requires cooperation, accountability and decisive leadership at every level of Government. He said the Marape-Rosso Government’s approach is to empower Provincial and District Administrations to respond promptly to emergencies while ensuring that the National Government provides the necessary coordination and additional support. The Prime Minister reiterated that the welfare and safety of Papua New Guineans remain paramount, and urged all responsible Government Authorities to prioritise immediate assistance to affected communities. “We have no time to waste. Start to assist our people,” Prime Minister Marape said.