Papua New Guinea is in the grip of a mounting humanitarian crisis as authorities race to evacuate thousands from remote villages near the site of a catastrophic landslide. With an estimated 7,900 people at risk and fears of further slips, the situation remains dire following the devastating events of May 24th.
Tragically, some 2,500 individuals are already feared buried beneath the rubble of the landslide, which obliterated a remote highland community in the early hours of May 24th. In the wake of the disaster, locals have been grappling with the monumental task of sifting through layers of debris, hoping against hope to find survivors amidst the chaos of churned-up earth, uprooted trees, and car-sized boulders.
However, as hopes dim for any remaining survivors, the focus has shifted from rescue to recovery. Niels Kraaier, representing UNICEF Papua New Guinea, solemnly stated, “It is not a rescue mission, it is a recovery mission. It is very unlikely they will have survived.”
Yet, the challenges facing relief efforts are formidable. The remote location, severed road links, heavy rainfall, and nearby tribal violence have severely hampered full-scale rescue and relief operations. The Papua New Guinea Defence Forces have struggled to access the site with heavy earth-moving equipment, exacerbating the logistical nightmare.
Adding to the sense of urgency, Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka warned of the looming threat of further disaster as Mount Mungalo continues to shed clumps of limestone, dirt, and rock. In response, authorities have issued evacuation orders for nearly 7,900 individuals deemed at risk.
However, aid officials report resistance among many residents, clinging to hope as they refuse to abandon at-risk areas in search of their loved ones. The scale of devastation is evident in the vast swathes of debris that now scar once verdant bushland, severing vital roadways and rendering communities unrecognizable.
As Papua New Guinea grapples with the enormity of the crisis, overwhelmed authorities have turned to international partners for support. An online emergency meeting with United Nations agencies and allies seeks to mobilize immediate assistance in a race against time to address the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected.
The stark reality of the situation was encapsulated by Papua New Guinea’s national disaster center, which informed the United Nations that the initial landslide had buried over 2,000 people alive, underscoring the urgent need for swift and coordinated action in the face of unprecedented tragedy.
