Major disasters and droughts linked to climate change and sea level rise are imminent in PNG – thus the government with the support of the UNDP has convened an important week long conference today (Monday the 6th of November) at Port Moresby’s Gateway Hotel to address the issue.
Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre Lusete Mana who officially opened the 8th Provincial Disaster Coordinator’s Conference said the government was aware to the country’s exposure to various natural hazards and disasters and is committed to support the work of the National and Provincial Disaster Centers.
Mr Mana said the main purpose of the conference was to ensure that our communities are safe, sustainable and resilient to disasters and emergencies.
“People across the country are exposed to many natural disasters including seasonal drought, flooding and associated hazards such as landslides, volcanoes eruptions and many more. And we will continue to face these natural phenomena;” he said.
“Therefore our priority now is to develop strategies on how we can mitigate or lessen the impacts of these nature; and manmade disasters including climate change; “ he said.
“The 8th Provincial Disaster Coordinators Conference is one of the important occasions that we have all been waiting for. The roaming days are over and now it is time for real business in serving our weak, vulnerable and incapacitated communities,” Mana said.
He gave the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Defense Mr Win Bakri Daki stressing that the Minister wants to ensure that in the next 12 to 24 months the disaster management act 1984 is reviewed, a current overall revamp of the natural disaster center administrative structure with budgetary and institutional capabilities; a review of the 2012 National Disaster Risk Management ; a ‘one stop standalone’ Office Accommodation for a robust PNG Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems and Management services as well as the formulation of a PNG Internally Displaced Population Policy and Legislation.
The UNDP Humanitarian Coordination Officer and Disaster Management Team Secretariat Lindsay Lambi said UNDP was providing support for the conference which has resumed after a ‘9 year’ hiatus.
Mr Lambi said UNDP would also support the review of the National Disaster Management Act 1984 and continue to support the PNG in its readiness to prepare and respond to disasters.
UN Resident Coordinator and interim (UNHCR a, i) Mr Bir Mandal said he is positive the conference would strengthen partnership and bring to the next level efficiencies to assist the communities affected by the disasters, droughts and emergencies.
The theme of the conference is “Strengthening Local Capacities to Disaster Risk Reduction”
