The United States Embassy in Papua New Guinea is supporting the opening of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) new disaster response office in Wabag, Enga Province.
U.S. Ambassador Walter North was on hand to officially open the new office with country representative of IOM, George Gigauri.
Ambassador North said the new facility is part of the United States’ ongoing support for drought relief for the Highlands Region.
“The U.S. Government is committed to supporting the people of Papua New Guinea who have been affected by the El Niño," Ambassador North said.
“The U.S. Government continues to work closely with the government of Papua New Guinea and non-governmental organization partners like IOM to deliver relief assistance and to identify the most effective ways to help those people affected by the El Niño event.”
As the impacts El Niño begin to affect vulnerable communities in Papua New Guinea, recent periods of frost and drought have damaged crops in the Highlands Region causing food shortages and highlighted the need for greater water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming.
The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) regional advisors, together with disaster management officials, members of the National Agricultural Research Institute and IOM staff have traveled to the Highlands provinces to witness first-hand the extreme conditions.
USAID/OFDA determined that frost - and drought-affected areas required food assistance, agricultural inputs, and increased WASH support to include programs to raise awareness regarding safe treatment and storage of drinking water.
The new IOM office will work towards addressing those important needs, including WASH.