Papua New Guinea: Disaster Management Reference Handbook

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a culturally and geographically diverse country. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, flooding, landslides, and droughts. It is particularly vulnerable to the effects of marine climate change and faces annual sea level rise above the global average. Several low-lying small islands are experiencing more frequent storm surges due to sea level rise, and parts of PNG are...
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Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a culturally and geographically diverse country. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, flooding, landslides, and droughts. It is particularly vulnerable to the effects of marine climate change and faces annual sea level rise above the global average. Several low-lying small islands are experiencing more frequent storm surges due to sea level rise, and parts of PNG are subject to inundation. The U.S. and PNG have enjoyed over four decades of diplomatic relations. PNG is important to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region as the most populous Pacific Island state. PNG is one of the priority countries for the implementation of the U.S. Global Fragility Initiative - an approach to conflict prevention and stabilization that integrates diplomacy, development, and defense - with legislative backing through the Global Fragility Act 2019. Moreover, PNG and the U.S. have a long and effective defense relationship, recently exemplified by the 2020 Wisconsin National Guard - PNG Defence Force partnership under the U.S. National Guard State Partnership Program that has identified opportunities for collaboration on initiatives in COVID-19 response, medical services, and women's health in PNG.This Papua New Guinea Disaster Management Reference Handbook offers an operational understanding of the country's disaster management capability as well as information on demographics, hazards, climate change, organizational structure for disaster management, laws and policies, infrastructure, and other areas vital to a comprehensive disaster management knowledge base. It is hoped that individuals and organizations planning for or executing a disaster response operation in PNG will benefit from this information to support the country's responders and affected communities in their time of need.