A disaster assessment team has been deployed to assess the El Nino situation in the Highlands region.
National Disaster Committee (NDC) confirmed today that 1-2 million people are affected nationwide.
The team comprises of officers from the National Disaster Office, PNG Defence Force, PNG Red Cross, NARI and government departments including Works, Health and Agriculture and Livestock.
Chairman of NDC Dickson Guina said another three teams will be deployed this weekend to assess the situation on ground in Momase, New Guinea Islands and Southern region.
The teams will assess the impact of the drought, the capacity of food and water stocks and conduct awareness.
Following the daily report and assessment of the team in the Highlands region, 180 tonnes of rice was distributed this week to frost affected areas in the region.
The assessments teams are expected to deliver a full report back to the disaster office after two weeks.
The disaster committee will then table and recommend to the government actions to take in terms of relief supplies and the short or long term response plans.
Guina said a draft response plan has already been developed.
He urged provincial disaster coordinators to work with technical teams on ground.