Papua New Guinea has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a National Early Warning Centre.
The MoU was signed today between the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and government institutions.
Institutions include Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL), Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA), and National Disaster Center (NDC) and PNG National Weather Service.
The deal will also see the establishment of a PNG-RIMES Sub-Regional Centre for the Pacific.
RIMES institutional development specialist Ruby Policarpio said RIMES is honoured for the trust given by the PNG Government to establish the Centre and PNG-RIMES Sub-Regional Centre.
On behalf of RIMES, Director A.R. Subbiah, Policarpio witnessed and signed the MoU along with representatives from government institutions.
Policarpio said it is a historic milestone in strengthening capacities in PNG for end-to-end early warning system and for driving user-driven capacity building in the region.
The RIMES Council, in its 7th Meeting in July 2015 in New Delhi, received and considered PNG’s proposal to decentralise RIMES programs through sub-regional mechanisms for more effective and efficient program delivery.
Following this, on 6 August 2015, PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) approved the country’s hosting of the RIMES Sub-Regional Hub for the Pacific.
The PNG National Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (PNG NMHEWS) shall be composed of generators and key users of hazard/risk information.
The government organisations will act as core institutions that would meet regularly to monitor, evaluate and update the action plan for the establishment, capacity building and sustainable operation of the PNG NMHEWS.
The NMHEWS will also function as RIMES Sub-Regional Hub for the Pacific, with assistance from RIMES.