PNG Faces Hunger Crisis as El Niño Devastates Crops

Papua New Guinea is currently experiencing the most severe impacts of the El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific, according to Oxfam PNG. Prolonged dry conditions and damaging frosts have destroyed vital food gardens across the Highlands, impacting both sustenance and income for thousands of families.

Oxfam estimates that up to 3 million people nationwide, including 1.9 million in the Highlands, could face food insecurity. Communities heavily reliant on farming are already reporting severe food shortages, with some supplies potentially lasting only two to three months. This situation increases the risk of malnutrition due to reduced meal variety and quantity.

The National Weather Service confirms that El Niño is causing drought and frost by shifting rainfall away from the country. This has led to reduced moisture levels and rapid temperature drops at night in the Highlands, causing frost that decimates crops. Farmers like John Wankar and Martha John have witnessed their gardens, crucial for both food and income, being destroyed by frost.

The worsening conditions have also impacted water availability, with many rivers and creeks drying up, forcing communities to find alternative sources. Some schools have had to reduce operating hours due to heat and water scarcity. While PNG faces the brunt, other Pacific nations are also affected, with up to 4.7 million people globally at increased risk of hunger, poverty, and disease.

Minister for National Disaster Management, Billy Joseph, confirmed assessments showing reduced rainfall and declining water sources affecting food gardens. Prime Minister James Marape has urged all provinces and districts to prepare for a prolonged dry season, emphasizing preparedness over panic and the need to identify vulnerable areas and protect citizens.