In a bid to respond to the landslide tragedy that claimed lives of more than 2,000 people, India sent a shipment of 19 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) materials to Papua New Guinea’s Enga province on Thursday. It includes food, temporary shelters as well as medicines.
Last month, this island nation and member states of FIPIC announced it will give $1 million worth assistance to Papua New Guinea following the aftermath of the disaster.
As per Randhir Jaiswal, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson for X: “India-Papua New Guinea standing together in times of difficulty. In the wake of devastating landslide in Enga province of Papua New Guinea, had announced immediate assistance of USD 1 million to our close FIPIC partner. Pursuant to the announcement, a flight carrying approx 19 tons of HADR supplies departed for today.”
He added: “The aid comprises 13 tons of disaster relief material including temporary shelter, water tanks, hygiene kits, meals ready to eat; and 6 tons of emergency use medicine medical equipment including dengue malaria diagnostic kits,baby food etc.”
Indian has consistently stood by its side during challenging times and natural disasters like the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in both years (2019 & 2023).
It highlights India’s Pacific island partners through FIPIC that shows its commitment and promotion cooperation and strengthen relationships with nations in the Pacific region.
According estimates from Chief Of Mission for International Organisation for Migration IOM, Papua New Guina,s landslide at Enga region northern Papua new guinea killed over 670 people, CNN reports.
There were fears that up to two thousand persons may have been buried under debris when media reported that more than one hundred and fifty houses at Yambali village had been covered by rocks due to landslides as confirmed by The Papua New Guinea National Disaster Centre.
