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PNG Faces National Crisis: 8 Million Affected by Drought
31 Oct
Summary
- Historic El Niño triggers severe drought impacting 8 million people.
- Widespread shortages of food, water, and electricity are affecting communities.
- Schools and health clinics struggle to operate due to lack of water.
Papua New Guinea is experiencing a severe national crisis due to an historic El Niño-induced drought, impacting approximately 8 million people. This extreme weather event has led to widespread food shortages, with families rationing meals to one per day in some highland areas. Rivers and creeks have dried up, crippling subsistence farming, a vital source of income and sustenance for many.
Access to basic services has been severely disrupted. Schools and health clinics are facing early closures, operating on limited hours, or unable to accept inpatients because of insufficient water. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, undertaking arduous journeys of three to four hours to secure water, increasing their exposure to risks.
In the capital, Port Moresby, planned electricity blackouts have commenced due to critically low dam levels impacting hydropower. These disruptions are anticipated to last up to 10 months. The government has been urged to conduct thorough impact assessments, especially for rural communities, though urban centers have been somewhat shielded thus far.
Prime Minister James Marape has directed provincial and district authorities to prepare for a prolonged dry season and is examining financial measures to support disaster response efforts. Meanwhile, forecasts suggest the El Niño may shorten the upcoming wet season, prolonging concerns over crop growth and water availability.
