Papua New Guinea Landslide Disaster
Hundreds are feared dead and thousands displaced after a devastating landslide struck a remote village in Papua New Guinea.
Impacts of the landslide in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Sr John Mary, Catholic Diocese of Wabag.
Landslide in Papua New Guinea
Catastrophic Landslide
Remote communities in Papua New Guinea have been devastated by a catastrophic landslide that struck the Enga province at 3am on 24th May.
Little Time to Escape
The timing of the landslide meant most people were sleeping at the time of the disaster, with little time to escape.
Hundreds are Feared Dead
Hundreds are feared dead, with the United Nations estimating that at least 670 people may have lost their lives.
4,000 People
The total population of the entire affected ward is near 4,000 people, but this number could be higher due to an increased number of displaced people living in the area in recent times.
We must act now
Your generous donation today means our partners in Papua New Guinea can respond quickly to support vulnerable communities during this crisis.
A woman holds her baby following the Enga landslide. Photo: Sr John Mary/Wabag Diocese
Why is Papua New Guinea vulnerable to landslides?
This is not the first fatal landslide in Papua New Guinea this year. At least 21 people died in three separate landslides across the country in mid-March and another 14 people lost their lives in April.
Papua New Guinea is vulnerable to various natural disasters due to its geographical location, topography, and climate. The country's mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall patterns make it susceptible to landslides and mudslides, particularly in areas with deforestation and soil erosion.
The country experiences frequent seismic activity, with earthquakes of varying magnitudes occurring regularly. PNG is situated in the path of tropical cyclones which bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding, causing widespread damage to infrastructure and displacement of communities. Intense rainfall events can saturate soil, reducing its stability and increasing the risk of landslides, especially on slopes with poor drainage or vegetation cover.
The impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, and altered precipitation patterns, further exacerbate the country's vulnerability to natural disasters. These changes can intensify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
How is Caritas Australia responding to the Papua New Guinea landslide?
Our partners on-the-ground in Papua New Guinea are currently conducting a rapid needs assessment in the affected villages to determine the most urgent priorities.
The recovery is expected to be long, and food, shelter and clean water are amongst the most urgent needs for people who have lost their homes because of the landslide.
Your generous donation today means our partners can respond quickly and efficiently to support vulnerable communities during this crisis.
Donate Now"We are hearing distressing stories about villagers digging through the debris with their bare hands trying to find their relatives’ remains. The affected communities are asking for spades and shovels to help with the digging.
Given that the landslide happened in the middle of the night, it is unfathomable to imagine what it must be like for families who have lost their loved ones without warning and are now scrambling to find their remains for a proper burial."
People climbing up the rubble left by the Enga landslide. Photo: Sr John Mary/Wabag Diocese
Where does my donation go?
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
