Papua New Guinea and the United States have launched a major disaster response exercise in Lae aimed at strengthening the ability of provincial authorities and first responders to manage emergencies.
The four-day Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance field training exercise began yesterday and will continue until August 14 at several locations across Morobe Province.
The exercise is being led by the U.S. Pacific Command’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM), in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), National Disaster Centre (NDC), National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) and the Wisconsin National Guard.
It is designed to strengthen disaster response coordination at the provincial level and ensure emergency systems can be quickly activated during natural and maritime disasters.
Morobe has been chosen as a key training location because of its exposure to flooding, landslides and drought.
The practical exercises include oil spill response operations at the Port of Lae, as well as search and rescue, medical emergency response and management of displaced communities at the PNGDF Engineering Battalion’s Igam Barracks.
A wide range of government, humanitarian and community organisations are taking part, including the Morobe Provincial Government, Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, International Organization for Migration, Spirit of America and World Vision.
The exercise also involves experts from the Wisconsin National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Pacific’s Oceania Engagement Team.
CFE-DM Training and Engagements Branch Chief James Kenwolf said disaster preparedness was critical to regional security and protecting vulnerable communities.
“Disaster preparedness is the ultimate expression of our shared commitment to regional security,” Kenwolf said.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Andy Covington said the training would help strengthen Papua New Guinea’s ability to respond to disasters independently.
“By bringing practical training directly to the provincial level, we are reinforcing the sovereign capacity of Papua New Guinea’s first responders to lead disaster response efforts independently and efficiently,” Covington said.
The United States Embassy said investing in disaster preparedness also provides significant economic benefits, with research showing that every dollar spent on preparedness can avert up to seven dollars in future losses.
The initiative is expected to improve coordination between
provincial and national authorities, security forces, emergency responders and humanitarian organisations, while building practical skills that can be used in future disaster responses across Papua New Guinea.