OUTLINE OF
PRESENTATIONz GENERAL INFORMATION ON PNG
z DISASTER SITUATIONz DISASTER CONDITIONSz DISASTER COUNTERMEASURESz CONCLUSIONz WHAT I WANT TO DO IN ADRC?
z SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT OFADRC VISITING RESEARCHER PROGRAM

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PAPUA NEW GUINEAGENERAL INFORMATIONGEOGRAPHYz Land area: 462,800 sq. km, ¾ covered by tropicalrainforest & ¼ delta plains, flat grassland &mangrove swamps.
z Coastline area: 5,152 km
z Location: Coral Sea & South Pacific Oceanz Mainland border- shared with Indonesia
z Map location: Latitude of 0-14 degrees southLongitude of 141 – 160 degrees east of equatorz Longest River – Fly 1200km
z Highest mountain – Mt. Whilhem 4509m

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CAPITAL CITYPORT MORESBYCLIMATEz Hot & humid equatorial tropics
z Seasons: Dry & Wetz Dry, May – October & Wet, November –Mayz Temperature: 14 degrees in the highlands& 32 in coastal areasz H/lands cool all year round.

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PEOPLEz Population: over 4.5 millionz Port Moresby: 250,000 & Lae: 125,000z Annual growth rate:

2.3%
z Pop.density: 10 persons per sq.km
z Pop. Growth: 2.3%
z Health: infant mortality rate 59/1000,z Life expectancy: 58
z Education: compusory year – 8, Literacy rate 70%

LANGUAGEz Over 750 indigenous languagesz 3 official – English, pidgin & motu.
z English is the official language used forformal business activities, the education
system, government bureaucracy & mass
media..

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GOVERNMENTz Head of state: Governor Generalz Head of government & Political leader: Prime Ministerz System of Govt. West Ministerz Levels of Govt. National, Provincial & Districtz Administrative subdivisions: 20 Provinces including

National Capitalz Members of Parliament: 109

ECONOMYz Traditional economy (70%) mainly subsistence farmingor Cash economy (12%) & 8% semi subsistence & cash
economy.
z Major exports: mainly minerals and agriculturalcommodities such as coffee, cocoa, copra, tea, sugar,
timber, rubber, oil palm, fish, copper ore, gold and oil.
z Major markets: Australia, Japan, Germany, UK, South
Korea & Chinaz Imports are: machinery, transport equipment, fuel,chemicals, consumer goods & foodz Major suppliers: Australia, Singapore, Japan, US,
Malaysia, & Indonesiaz Banks: 2 National and 4 Foreignz Monetary Unit: Kina

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CULTURE & RELIGIONz Culturally, PNG is a diverse country ranging fromdistinct tribal to mixtures of various cultures,
traditions and norms from pure Melanesia to
mixture of Micronesia and Polynesia flavours.
z As a nation PNG is professed a christain country.
About 66% of the population are christians while
34% belong to other religions and beliefs.

DISASTER SITUATION IN
PNG

6Natural Disasters
z Geograpical Hazards

1. Volcanic eruptions
2. Earthquakes
3. Landslides

3. Searise & coastal

erosionz Meteorologicalz Hydrological Hazards

1. Tsunamis
2. Tidal wave

Hazards
1. Drought
2.Tropical cyclones
3. Frost
4. Flood

MAN – MADE DISASTERSz Firez Agriculture Infestationz Oil & Chemical Spillz Marine & Sea accidentsz Aviation accidents
z Industrial & Technologicalz Civil unrest

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MAJOR NATURAL DISASTERS
DisasterYear

Province

Affected

Dead

Flood

1999
1998
1998

Western
E/Sepik
Madang10,00023,00038,00028,000

Tsunami1998

Sandaun12,427

2227

Drought

1997/98

Whole
nation3,158961

98

Volcanic
eruption

1996
1994
1992

MadangENB
Madang3,000
105,000
2,000

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4

Cyclone

1993

Milne Bay

50,000

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VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS•.PNG lies in volcanic & earthquake belt 1000km
long•14 active, 22 dormant, & over 50 extinct•Volcanic risk areas: Vokeo, Karkar, Ritter Island &Ulawun to Rabaul. Other risk areas are: Bougainville,
East Papua & D’Entrecasteaux Islands•Most devastating volcanoes: Mt. Lamington – 1951,
Rabaul volcanoes: Tavurvur & Vulcan – 1994 &Manam – 1996.
•Harzardous features have been assessed & hazard
ratings determined from time to time & updated.

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PNG VOLCANOESz Volcano activities in PNG are observed by

the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory andGeophysical Observatory.
z Almost all volcano & earthquake prone
Provinces have a sensing station installed
purposely to monitor and report on volcanic
or seismic activities detected in the region.

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EARTHQUAKEz Situated in the most active seismic regionz Earthquake

occur due to unstable continuous
movements of lithospheric plates such as North
Bismarck, South Bismarck and the Indo –Australian plate on which PNG sits.
z Four zones for earthquake purposes:-Extremly high-Moderately high-Moderate-Low

10z The Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory

operates a network of seismic stations throughout
the country, and this network is supplemented byvolcano surveillance stations of the Central
Volcanological Observatory, Rabaul.

LANDSLIDESz Occur mainly in thehighlands & mountainousareasz Occurrence related tofrequent seismic activities,
high rainfall,degradationof forestry environment by
developers & slush & burnsystem of making gardens.
z The worst recorded
landslide was in 1993,
Kaiapit affecting 7,000
people and killing 14
people.

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TSUNAMIz The noticeable tsunami comes in very rarely

according to available records.
z They occur following strong earthquakes andvolcanic eruptions.
z Vulnerable areas are within Solomon & Bismarcksea.
z The 1998 tsunami killed about 2227 people,
hospitalised over 300 & left 11,000 people
homeless.

TIDAL WAVE & COASTALEROSIONz Surge tidal waves also cause damages tocoastlines when low pressure of surge windor cyclones occur. Usually high seas result
and waves with velocity impact thecoastlines erosion, environment damages,
property destruction and loss of lives. Thisis quite common in coastal villages

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DROUGHT
Location :- normally lowland outer island areas
Period :- dry season from July to October
Vulnerable areas:- Western, Simbu, Eastern Highlands, Central, Milne Bay, Oro& Other outer islands & atolls in the Solomon & Bismarckseas.
z 1997 – 98 Drought- worst disaster scenario in the country’s history- comes in every 8 – 13 years- no. of people affected, 1,792,417- cost involved K90.00 to K100.00 million- no. of people killed, 98
z There are also water projects installed in respective Provinces fordrought impact counter measures.

TROPICAL CYCLONEz Tropical cyclones or strong winds could

occur in Papua New Guinea waters orcoastal areas anywhere more than about fivedegrees south of the Equator. The prone
provinces are the northeastern areas of thecountry like Oro and Milne Bay Provinces.
The cyclone season follows the wet season
pattern from November to May.

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FROSTz Frost is another hazard that mainly occurs inthe Highlands Provinces of PNG where theelevation is above 5,000 feet above sea
level. The season of frost is from May to
October. When frost occurs, the plants aredestroyed.The worst hit frost was reported
to be in 1980 affecting 40,000 people. The
frost also hit the highlands provinces during
the long drought in 1997-98

FLOOD
z Causes: increase in the volume of water producedby rain in catchment areas, rivers & lakes over a
period of timez Most vulnerable areas: Morobe, Gulf, Western &East Sepik
z Problem areas, Western & E/Sepik have vast flat
areas, difficult to relocate to other higher groundz Vunerable elements: those at riverbanks, below
maincatchment & low flat land plainsz High risk for residents near rivers or lowland areas
due to no traditional land to go to.

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PERCEPTION OF GOVT. &PEOPLE OF PNGz Regarded as only a response activity.
z Disaster Management only becomes aconcern after disaster impacts communityz Disaster Management only NDMO problem
z NDMO seen as an office for lodging
requests for communities and individualsz Disasters regarded as punishments from
God or gods/ancestral spirits.

DIAGNOSISz LACK OF KNOWLEDGERESULTING FROM LACK OF
EFFECTIVE AWARENESS,EDUCATION & TRAINING

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POLICY STATEMENTPROTECTION OF LIVES OFPAPUA NEW GUINEANS
LIES PREDOMINANTLY ON
THE GOVERNMENT OFPAPUA NEW GUINEATHROUGH THE NATIONALCONSTITUTION.

DISASTERCOUNTERMEASURES IN
PNGz Legislations or Countermeasure Laws
z Policyz Institutionsz Programmes & Activities

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LEGISLATIONz National Constitution: Part x
z National Disaster Management Act
z Other Acts like:z Public Health Act
z PNGDF Act
z Internal Revenue Act
z Insurance Actz Public Finance Management Act
z PNG Fire Services Act
z Transport & Marine Act

PLANS
z National Disaster Management Plan

(under review)z National Response Action Planz Provincial Emergency & DisasterPlans
z Contingency Plan

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ORGANIZATIONALSTRUCTURE
National Executive Council

National Disaster Committee
Dept. of Provincial & Local Government Affairs

Dept. of Agriculture & Livestock

Department of HealthDept. of Foreign Affairs

Dept. of Education

Dept. of Works & Implementation

Overseas Mission UNDP, AusAID

Dept. of FinanceNGOs, Red Cross

Dept. of Prime Minister & NEC

National Disaster Management Office

Provincial Disaster Committee

District Disaster Committee

NATIONAL EXECUTIVECOUNCILz Has ultimate responsibility in disastermanagement, through NDC, develops
and implements disaster management
policy18

MINISTRYRESPONSIBLE FORDISASTER MANAGEMENTPROVINCIAL& LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRSNATIONAL DISASTERCOMMITTEEz Chairman – Secretary Dept. Prov. & Local Govt.

Affairs.
z Established under Disaster Management Act &responsible to NEC for disaster mattersz Decision making body of any emergency ordisaster matters.
z Membership: identified line departments withresponsibilities related to Disaster Managementz Can form sub – committees to or working groups
to deal with specific issues.

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ROLES &RESPONSIBILITIES OF NDCz Provide and render advice to the NEC through the

Minister on all disaster mattersz Approve and coordinate all activities necessary inregard to preparedness, response & recovery
phases of disaster mgt.
z Assume full & complete control in operations
related to disasters,z Provide & render financial assistance to Provincial
Disaster Committees.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIESOF STAKEHOLDERSz Dept. of Health – all health related mattersz Dept. of Agri. & Livestock – all matters relating toagri. & livestock including foodz Dept. of Works & Transport – engineering &structural matters, airstrips, roads, bridgez Telecommunication – communication mattersz Dept. Police – law & orderz Dept. of Defence – assist where required on calledout orders by the governmentz Red Cross/NGOs/Overseas Missions – responsible
in needy areas like food, shelter, health services
and water when responding to emergencies.

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NDMO STRUCTURE

Director General
Executive Assistant

Assistant Director
Risk Management

Information Technology
Officer

Research &Assessment Officer

Assistant Director
Comm.& Government Liaison

Education/Training
Officer

Advisor Communication& Logistic

Secretariat Officer

Government Liaison
Officer

MY DUTIES &RESPONSIBILITIESz Coordinate and conduct training, education/awareness programs ie: inhouse & in country.
z Produce training, education and awarenessmaterials relevant for disaster managementz Assist other officers where necessary
z Liaise with institutions/organisations for disastermanagement courses
z Provide advice to Provincial Disaster Cordinators
on training, education and awareness matters

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NATIONAL DISASTER
MANAGEMENT OFFICEz NDMO housed under Dept. Prov. Local Government

Affairs & responsible for managing disasters in PNG.
z NDMO headed by Director General who is appointed byNECz Two branches: Reactive – deals with rapid response &operations, & Proactive deals with long term mattersthrough research & analysis.
z Overall role is to coordinate the management of disasters& emergencies in PNG
z NDMO & Provincial Disaster Committee have primary
responsibility for implementing & coordinating disastercountermeasure activities,before, during & after disaster or
emergency situations.
z NDMO also acts as the Secretariate to NDC

ROLES &RESPONSIBILITIES OF
NDMOz Implementing policies & decisions of NDCz Advising the NDC on all disaster management

mattersz Coordinating national relief efforts, including
those of other depts./agencies on behalf of & as
directed by the NDCz Acting as secretariat to NDC & its subcommittees
z Assist with disaster management training for all
levels and sectors when appropriate
z Maintain a disaster managmement information
database.

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PROVINCIAL DISASTERCOMMITTEEz Chairman – Provincial Administratorz Established under disaster management Act
z Responsible to Provincial Government for

all disaster matters

DISTRICT DISASTERCOMMITTEEz Responsible for disasters in the district.
z Chairman – district administrator
z Composition of members is similar to NDC

members23

PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIESz Awareness Programsz Education & Training Programz Public information Programz Food Security Policy & Programz Health Issues Education & Awareness Programz Geohazard Mapping Programz Environment & Conservation Research &Awareness Programz Fire Safety Awareness

RESOURCE PEOPLE &ORGANIZATIONSz Rabaul Volcano Observatory – Volcano activitiesz Geophysical Observatory – Seismic Activitiesz Geological Surveys – Landslides & othergeohazards
z National Weather Service – Drought, Rain, Wind,
Frost etc.
z Environment & Conservation – Environment
Management.
z University of Papua New Guineaz University of Technologyz Other Regional Offices (Pacific & Asia)

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REDUCTION
COUNTERMEASURESON RECENT DISASTERSz Rabaul Volcanic Eruption (1994)z Umi Bridge (1994)z Manam Volcano eruption (1996)
z Drought Effects (1997-98)
z Aitape Tsunami (1998)z Mumeng Flood (1999)
z Sea Level Rise Countermeasure (1999)

RABAUL VOLCANICERUPTION
Government & business centres
have been relocated away fromthe volcano sites including the
airport
and
the
Radio
Broadcasting Commission.
Through the generous assistancefrom AusAID, Japanese Govt.,
USA, World Bank and PNG
Government
post
disasterreconstructionphaseisprogressing well.

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UMI BRIDGEz The main bridge that connects the 5 highlands

provinces and the rest of the worls through thesecond largest city – Lae was destroyed byflooding.
z Great loss to PNG economy approx. $40 million
lost through coffee export & other exportablecommodities.
z Through assistance of Japanese Govt.a better &stronger bridge was constructed

MANAM VOLCANICERUPTIONz Budua people of Manam Island have been

relocated to a secured land near Bogia
station.
z Basic social services facilities are beenplanned for by the Madang Provincial
Governement

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DROUGHT
1997-98z For drought mitigation in relation to water NDMO

spent money on water problematic areas.
z World Bank & PNG Govt. funded mitigation
effects of El Nino on water , civil works andagriculture in two Provinces Manus & Simbu
z Setting up of water projects
z Agriclture & Food security research for better
planning and finding out suitable drought resistantcrops to withstand the long droughts like the1997 –98 El Nino effects

AITAPE TSUNAMIz Affected communities have been relocated andresettled at their new villages away from the coast.
z New road has been constructed linking the newvillages and the District headquarters.
z More schools and health facilities now built than
before, preparation for future populationz Responsibility of administration by the National
Government given back to Sandaun Provincial
Governmentz Establishment of Trauma counseling sevices

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LONG TERM DISASTERREDUCTION
COUNTERMEASURESz Responsibility of administration by the

National Government given back to
Sandaun Provincial Governmentz Tsunami awareness project through posters
and booklets to all coastal areas. Funded by
Japanese Government through ADRC.

SEA LEVEL RISE
COUNTERMEASURE
z The Duke of Yoke Island in East New Britian has

come to a stage that the sea level rise isthreatening the future existence of the islands.
z Though it is not a national or provincial declareddisaster, but the ENB Provincial DisasterCommittee through the Provincial Administrator
has responsibly gone ahead in planning &implementing the relocation of the islanders to themain island of New Britian as a long term
countermeasure.

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REGIONALISATION OF
DISASTER MANAGEMENTz Since 1998, PNGNDMO ventured out to be

involved with the SOPAC Office in Fiji, ADRC
concerning matters relating to training, awareness,
researches and sharing of disaster scientificinformation.
z JICA, AusAID and SOPAC are three mostconsistent international organisations which
support PNG disaster matters through rapid
response and preparedness through training.

CONCLUSIONz Reporting on the disasters in PNG through this report, it

can be concluded that PNG is a hazard prone area.
Therefore, the arrangement now taken for Disaster
Management is:z Emphasis on pro-active approaches through the concept ofDisaster Management Cycle: Prevention, Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response, Rehabilitation and Reconstructionz Institutional capacity building starting from national tocommunity level involving public sector, private sector
including NGO’s as partners in Disaster Management.In
line with Govt.Reforms.
z The scientifc information within PNG, Pacific & AsianRegions through bilateral arrangements will be utilized asmuch as possible for planning & preparedness measures.
z With the above mentioned approach to disaster

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WHAT DO I WANT TO DO INADRC?
z Master skills in VENTEN/GIS?
z Master knowledge & skills in database?
z Produce education/awareness materials such as

posters, training manuals & pamphlets etc.
z Know how disaster management information isincorporated into the curriculum in Japanz I would like to know more about disaster
preparedness planning and the disaster reduction
countermeasures in Japan and other AsianCountries.
z Participate in any ADRC project or activity.

SUGGESTIONS FOR VISITINGRESEARCHER PROGRAM
z Create a visiting researcher guide or booklet
z 3 months is adequate for information sharing andworking on areas of interestz 6 months or more the program should be based ona project.
z ADRC to prepare a tentative program using theapplication which was submitted for nominations
to the Visiting Researcher Program & changes cantake place during orientation.
z Apart from Visiting Researchers interests, ADRC
should assign V.R.’s with some project or activity
applying only to 6 months/ 1 year programs

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