Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake Situation Report No. 4 (as of 21 March 2018)

reliefweb.int
 March 21, 2018

This report is produced by the National Disaster Centre, the Office of the Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Coordination and Assessment (UNDAC) Team in collaboration with humanitarian partners.
 It was issued by the Disaster Management Team Secretariat.
It covers the period from 18 March to 21 March 2018.
The next report will be issued on or around 27 March 2018.

Background

According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), 6,444 households (34,153 people) are displaced in 39 communities and informal care centers.
Almost 65 per cent of health facilities in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces are damaged and 32 per cent remain closed.
To date, 87 villages have been reached with food supplies in Hela, Southern Highlands and Western provinces.
Around 1,300 shelter and non-food items have been distributed in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces.
All airports in the affected regions are open except for Huya and Komo airfields, which are only open to helicopters.
The roads from Mt. Hagen to Tari and Tari to Mendi remain open.
Nipa to Magarima and Tari and Komo roads are partially accessible.
The road from Mendi to Moro remains closed.

270,000 people in need of assistance

87 villages reached with food

34,153 displaced people in 39 communities and care centers

269 schools in five LLGs (Hela) are damaged

Situation Overview

The National Disaster Centre (NDC) estimates that around 544,000 people have been affected in five provinces and that more than 270,000 people are in immediate need of assistance.
Over 125,000 are children, of which 55,000 children are under the age of five.
Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) teams completed assessments confirming that 6,444 households (34,153 people) are displaced in 39 communities and informal care centers.
Current figures estimate that 10,000 houses have been damaged and need immediate shelter assistance.
In Hela Province, of the 31 health facilities (not including aid posts) 90 per cent have been damaged to some extent.
In Southern Highlands Province, of the 46 facilities (not including aid posts) 45 per cent have been damaged.
Significant gaps remain in sanitation and hygiene support, including hygiene messaging, for affected areas.
According to Education Management Information System (EMIS) data on schools and number of students in the seven most affected LLGs, over 34,000 school children are enrolled in 368 schools, of which more than 23,000 children are in the five most affected LLGs of Hela.
 Reports from the SMS Blast/RapidPro among school inspectors and some teachers identified that 269 of 439 schools in five LLGs in Hela are damaged.
Provision and maintenance of water tanks, sanitation facilities, school buildings, learning materials and canvas for temporary shelter are the most pressing needs.
In Southern Highlands, 42 schools have submitted damage reports to the Department of Education.
The buildings of the Department of Education in both the provinces are badly damaged and most staff have not returned to work.
The toll-free trauma and crisis counselling hotline continues to receive calls from the affected areas.
Calls cover issues, such as fear of aftershocks, people needing assistance but have not been reached, distress due to loss of property, concern for relatives and general confusion about the cause of the earthquake.
Rumors and fear still have a huge influence on what people believe and how they can recover.
All airports in the affected regions are open except for Huya airstrip (Southern Highlands) and Komo airfield (Hela) which are only open to helicopters.
 The roads to Mt Hagen to Tari and Tari to Mendi remain open; there are reports on increasing traffic on these roads.
The road from Nipa to Magarima and onward to Tari and Komo is only partially accessible and the road between Mendi and Moro remains closed.

Oil Search sees Gobe plant operational this week after PNG quake

epmag.com
March 20, 2018

SYDNEY—Australia’s Oil Search Ltd. said on March 20 that it expects its Gobe processing plant and oil export pipeline in Papua New Guinea to be operational later this week, after a deadly earthquake hit last month.
Oil Search said the Gobe facility and its export pipeline were largely undamaged in the magnitude 7.5 quake that struck on Feb 26.
The company said its condensate handling facilities, part of the giant PNG LNG project, were also ready to receive PNG LNG condensate once production at the Hides gas conditioning plant comes back on stream.
The Hides plant was shut down after the quake by operator ExxonMobil, which said earlier this month the PNG LNG project would be shut for about eight weeks for inspections and repairs.
Oil Search said it expects its central processing facility at Kutubu, another oil and gas field, to be “progressively restored from late March,” while its Moran oil and gas field would take longer.
“The Agogo processing facility and the Moran 4, 6, 9 well pad, which are in the area most impacted by the earthquake, will require some repairs before production from the Moran field can recommence,” Oil Search said in a statement, without giving a repair timeline.
At least 100 people were killed when the powerful quake hit the remote and rugged highlands three weeks ago, triggering landslides that buried villages and destroyed infrastructure.

Health facilities devastated by PNG quake

reliefweb.int
March 21, 2018

21 MARCH 2018, PORT MORESBY - A third of all health facilities have closed in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces as a result of the Papua New Guinea earthquake.
On 26 February, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea, triggering landslides, affecting water sources and wiping out houses, health facilities, people and crops.
More than 190 aftershocks have been recorded, according to the United States Geological Survey, including one as recently as 20 March.
Results of a joint National Department of Health (NDOH) and World Health Organisation (WHO) assessment show that 25 out of 77 health facilities in the two worst-affected provinces are no longer functioning.
The total number of closed facilities is potentially higher, as data from eight health centres remains unavailable due to access constraints.
“This disruption to health service provision comes at a time when people are most in need of care,” said Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative to Papua New Guinea.
 “As aftershocks continue, affected communities are dealing with injuries and psychological trauma.
"We’re also worried about potential outbreaks of epidemic-prone diseases.
"We must move swiftly to restore health services.”
Overcrowding in informal camps and a lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitation increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
Vaccination coverage was low prior to the earthquake and the country was already facing outbreaks of malaria, pertussis and measles.
Roads, rivers, airfields and bridges have been impacted by the earthquake in a part of the country prone to violence and insecurity.
Access to affected communities has therefore been extremely challenging.
“Responding to the health needs in Papua New Guinea is definitely not easy,” said Dr Luo.
“But we’re determined to find ways, alongside our partners, to deliver life-saving health services to even the hardest to reach communities.”
WHO is supporting the National Department of Health (NDOH), provincial health authorities and partners with information management, technical guidance and logistics.
As the Health Cluster lead agency, WHO plays an active role in coordinating the activities of 25 health partners in order to align efforts, fill gaps, avoid duplication and ensure that response efforts reach those most in need.
The organisation is also supporting the strengthening of disease surveillance and has pre-positioned medical supplies in preparation for potential outbreaks, including seven diarrhoeal disease kits and rapid diagnostic tests for dengue.

More Australian humanitarian assistance to Papua New Guinea

Media release
20 March 2018

Today during a visit to Port Moresby, I announce additional support for recovery and reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea’s highlands region following the devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake on 26 February.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop

More than 125 people were killed by the earthquake and its aftershocks and the UN estimates 500,000 people have been affected.

Australia has been helping with relief efforts through emergency supplies and specialist personnel, transport and distribution in affected areas, helping to restore electricity and supporting vulnerable women and children.

The ADF has played a vital role by providing a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules and three Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters to support humanitarian activities.

These have enabled ADF members and their PNG Defence Force counterparts to deliver food, water and medicine to remote and badly affected communities.

My visit to Papua New Guinea will also give me the opportunity to meet and thank Australian Defence Force members who have been supporting the humanitarian relief effort.

The Australian Government is now providing an additional $3.4 million in assistance to help affected communities re-establish their livelihoods, repair and rebuild infrastructure and restore water and sanitation, with a specific focus on the needs of women, girls and people with disabilities.

 We have also deployed a three-person Australian Medical Assistance Team to assess health needs and determine what additional assistance may be required.

This brings our humanitarian aid for the earthquake response to $5 million.

Australia and PNG have a close and enduring friendship and we stand ready to provide further support to affected communities, if required.

Australian Rotary Club Papua New Guinea Earthquake Appeal

Rotary Club of Caloundra

To aid the recovery efforts in Papua New Guinea following the loss of life and property due to the Earthquake on 26 February 2018 in the Southern Highlands, our Rotary District 9600 has established an Earthquake Recovery Fund which will accept tax deductible donations.
The Government declared a state of emergency on 2 March for Hela, Southern Highlands, Western and Enga provinces.
According to initial estimates, over 544,000 people are affected across the five most affected provinces.
Over 270,000 people require immediate humanitarian assistance.
PNG is an important part of our Rotary District and needs our support following this disastrous event.
The appeal is open to the public, as well as to clubs and members, to make contributions.
Rotarians will know that on 26 February 2018 an earthquake of 7.5 magnitude occurred about 3am in an area of the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Due to the isolated location access has been very difficult.
The PNG Army has been working with assistance from RAAF Chinook helicopters and C130 Hercules aircraft.
However due to landslides and damage to roads and bridges very little other support is getting through.
The area is still suffering aftershocks, with villagers not prepared to go back to their homes.
The current death toll has risen to 125 with over 35,000 displaced.
District has established a fund through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) to aid the recovery.
Past District Governor Charles Guesdon is the Project Manager ably assisted by Assistant Governor and PNG Liaison Mary Grant.
Donations to this fund are tax deductable through RAWCS.
District will make available $10,000 from the District Disaster Fund and clubs and members may make contributions through this link.
The Project name is:
Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Earthquake recovery
The RAWCS reference is 75-2017-18
Further details will be circulated as they come to hand.
PNG is an important part of our District and need our support following this disastrous event.
Please consider and give generously.

Together in Rotary Service,
John Lane
Governor 2017-18

More information:
Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake Situation Report No. 1 (as of 10 March 2018)

US, UN back efforts to assess impact of Papua New Guinea earthquake, deliver aid to survivors

iom.int
March 16, 2018

Port Moresby – Almost three weeks after the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea’s remote provinces of Hela and Southern Highlands, International Organsation for Migration (IOM) teams are working with the government and partners to assess the full impact of the disaster and deliver essential lifesaving aid to survivors, even as landslides and aftershocks continue to affect the region.
The government estimates that over 544,000 people across five provinces were affected by the quake, which left at least 145 people dead.

Families in Hulia-Beleria displaced by the February 26, 2018, earthquake which struck Hela province, Papua New Guinea. Photo: David Helo / United Church in Hela

Over 270,000 are in need of immediate aid, including food, water, medicines, tarpaulins, tents and blankets.
The government and its aid agency and private sector partners have targeted seven of the worst-hit Local Level Governments (LLGs) in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces.
 It has also set up two forward operating bases and two emergency operations centres close to the quake’s epicentre.
But while main roads have largely been cleared, aid workers warn that damage estimates may continue to rise as many affected communities remain cut off by landslides and are only accessible by air.
“Many among the affected populations live in remote communities that are a challenge to access at the best of times.
"In the face of a natural disaster of this magnitude, they have become even more isolated.
"Air support to reach these people is critical,” said IOM PNG Chief of Mission Lance Bonneau.
IOM, which is leading the Shelter, Non-Food Item (NFI), and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) clusters in the emergency response, has deployed displacement tracking teams, assisted by oil and gas company ExxonMobil and other local partners on the ground, to assess the impact, needs, and assistance gaps for people affected by the quake.
The mapping generated by the displacement tracking matrix (DTM) will contribute to the PNG National Disaster Center’s coordination of the multi-partner relief effort to ensure that the right assistance gets to the populations who need it most.
IOM, which this week received USD 100,000 from USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, has already delivered basic shelter and non-food relief items to over 400 displaced families.
The US funding will allow it to provide basic shelter, water and sanitation to another 800 of the hardest hit families and will also support training for local authorities and NGOs managing Care Centre shelters for quake survivors.
Another USD 100,000 channeled to IOM last week by UNOCHA – the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – will be used to provide more lifesaving aid, including shelter materials and water containers, to another 2,500 families.
“We welcome the support provided thus far, but the needs remain significant.
"The full impact of the earthquake is still coming to light, as landslides continue to affect unstable areas.
"Traditional water and food sources have been compromised and entire populations have been traumatised by the scale of this disaster.
"We need to continue to address the immediate needs of those most affected, but we also need to think about longer term recovery and reestablishment of community infrastructure.
"Shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene are critical needs now and will continue to be into the foreseeable future,” said Bonneau.

For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby. Wonesai Sithole, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: wsithole@iom.int  or Lance Bonneau, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: lbonneau@iom.int

PNG Air reports improved 2017 performance

PNG Air Press Release

PNG Air has reported a significantly improved performance in 2017 with overall revenue growing by 28% in 2017 compared to 2016.
“The growth in revenue despite soft prevailing economic conditions supports the airline’s strategy of re-fleeting by bringing in brand new ATRs and shows that we now provide a competitive alternative for the travelling public of Papua New Guinea,” said Murray Woo, chairman of directors of PNG Air.

PNG Air ATR at Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen.

“Our vision in re-fleeting and rebranding the Airline was to bring first world aviation services to PNG.
"Our challenge now is to make air travel more available to the people of PNG and to keep improving the service we offer."
While revenue grew, the airline recorded an operating loss before abnormal items and tax of K4 million in 2017, which is a significant improvement compared to the K34.84 million operating loss in 2016.
The loss including abnormal items before tax amounted to K11.95 million
in 2017 (K73.53 million in 2016).
Woo commented “While the operating loss represented an improvement over 2016, we were aiming to make profits in 2017, but the soft PNG economy, weak global resource prices, foreign exchange difficulties and fuel prices all worked against us.”
Highlights for the airline for the year included winning the contract to service all of Newcrest’s aviation requirements in PNG, and adding two additional brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft to its fleet, bringing the ATR fleet to seven.
The airline now has the youngest fleet in PNG.
Additionally, the airline opened airport lounges at Lae and Mt Hagen, and completed conversion of one of its Dash 8 aircraft to a full freighter configuration, able to carry up to four tonnes of freight.
Woo said “We are confident about the future for PNG Air.
"The economy is expected to grow and there should be more investments in the resource sectors.
"PNG Air has the right aircraft and people to provide the aviation services that will require, putting us is in a strong position to benefit  as growth occurs.”
PNG Air Ltd operates ATR 72-600 and Dash 8 aircraft to 25 ports throughout PNG, with 410 flights each week carrying over 450,000 passengers each year.