National Consultation Workshop Convenes Provincial Stakeholders to Review Papua New Guinea’s Disaster and Emergency Response Mechanism

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | October 2025 — In a significant step toward enhancing national resilience, senior government officials, Provincial Administrators, and Provincial Disaster Coordinators from across Papua New Guinea convened in Port Moresby for a one-day National Consultation Workshop on the Review of the Disaster and Emergency Response Mechanism.

The workshop, organized and led by a government-mandated Review Committee, brought together provincial stakeholders to contribute to the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the national disaster management framework. This initiative reflects Papua New Guinea’s commitment to building a more coordinated, responsive, and future-ready disaster governance system.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Laso Mana, Acting Director of the National Disaster Centre, acknowledged the dedication of participants and the enduring support of development partners:

“We are now facing increasingly complex and frequent disasters — from earthquakes, floods, and landslides, to droughts, cyclones, and health emergencies. These challenges demand a legislative and policy framework that is modern, inclusive, and responsive to emerging risks, while empowering our provinces and districts to act swiftly and effectively. Thank you to everyone present today for your continued efforts to protect the lives and livelihoods of communities. I also extend my appreciation to our partners and donors — including the Governments of New Zealand, Australia, and the United States — for their steadfast support.”

The workshop focused on reviewing the current disaster and emergency response mechanism, assessing institutional roles, and identifying opportunities to improve coordination, resource allocation, and legal frameworks. Participants also took part in thematic discussions focused on risk reduction, readiness, response, and recovery.

Interactive sessions and group discussions enabled provincial stakeholders to share local experiences and propose actionable recommendations to enhance disaster governance and operational readiness at all levels.

Mr. Ray Paul, Chairman of the Review Committee, emphasized the importance of collaborative dialogue:

“We began this consultation process with various groups of partners and stakeholders, and one thing we all agreed on was the importance of collaboration. Bringing everyone together allows us to have a rich exchange of ideas and insights. I want to thank all our partners, donors, and our dedicated national and provincial disaster management teams, as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), for their continued support.”

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been working in close partnership with the National Disaster Centre and Provincial Disaster Centres across Papua New Guinea to strengthen disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery systems. Through technical support, capacity building, and community engagement, IOM has played a key role in advancing the country’s disaster risk management initiatives.

Mr. David Arnold, IOM Chief of Mission, reaffirmed IOM’s long-standing commitment to supporting the Government of Papua New Guinea:

“This workshop marks a critical step in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s disaster management system. Preparedness must begin at the community level and be supported by strong national coordination. IOM remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the Government, communities, and partners to build a disaster response framework that is resilient, collaborative, and future-ready — one that protects every Papua New Guinean.”

Findings and recommendations from this national consultation will inform the Review Committee’s final report and guide the ongoing review of Papua New Guinea’s national disaster management policy and legislative framework, with the aim of strengthening disaster risk management across the country.

The Review Committee will continue engaging with stakeholders and partners to promote evidence-based policymaking and collaborative disaster governance that enhances national resilience.

The workshop was funded by the United States Government under the IOM-led project, “Addressing the Drivers and Consequences of Disaster Displacement Through Enhancing Resilience in Papua New Guinea.”