Working closely with government and humanitarian partners, Australia has provided humanitarian relief supplies for communities displaced by the eruption of Mt Uluwan volcano in West New Britain Province.
The 20 November eruption has affected more the 26,000 people in surrounding communities, with up to 9,000 of these internally displaced and residing in care centres in West New Britain and East New Britain provinces.
Australia’s contribution responds to Papua New Guinea’s request for support and the priorities identified by the West New Britain Provincial Disaster Office and contributes to a broader humanitarian response to the disaster.
Over the weekend and on Monday, Australia deployed a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft to assist with the airlift of humanitarian relief supplies to West New Britain. Emergency relief supplies for 500 households – including tarpaulins, shelter kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, mosquito nets, sleeping maps, solar lights, water containers – were transported to Kimbe over multiple trips. Australia also supported the movement of supplies for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF.
Provincial authorities are leading on the onward movement and distribution of supplies to care centres.
Locals help unload Australian Aid supplies from a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules at Hoskins Airport, Papua New Guinea.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100