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Country analysis

Papua New Guinea

The current humanitarian situation in Papua New Guinea is driven by violence in the Highlands region, which comprises seven provinces – Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Enga, Hela, Jiwaka, Southern Highlands, and Western Highlands.

The elections spanning May–August 2022 resulted in political and electoral conflict that led to violence between rival political groups. Intercommunal violence also rose in that period because of diminished security, a result of the reallocation of security forces to support the election process.

The political, electoral, and intercommunal violence led to killings, including of women and children; sexual violence against women and girls; and sorcery accusation-related violence against women. Civilian infrastructure, such as homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and businesses, were damaged or destroyed. People fleeing from violence found refuge in churches and with host communities, which are under pressure to meet the basic needs of the displaced. Some have also fled to neighbouring mountains, where access to basic services is limited.

Papua New Guinea is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a path along the Pacific Ocean marked by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The country is also prone to flooding, landslides, drought, and sea-level rise, which are expected to increase in frequency, magnitude, and intensity because of climate change.

Papua New Guinea has poor coping capacities because of weak physical and communication infrastructure and governance, as well as a lack of access to healthcare.

(UNCT PNG 15/09/2022, UN 06/09/2022, Al Jazeera 16/08/2022, WB accessed 05/03/2023, WHO accessed 05/03/2023)

The current humanitarian situation in Papua New Guinea is driven by violence in the Highlands region, which comprises seven provinces – Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Enga, Hela, Jiwaka, Southern Highlands, and Western Highlands.

The elections spanning May–August 2022 resulted in political and electoral conflict that led to violence between rival political groups. Intercommunal violence also rose in that period because of diminished security, a result of the reallocation of security forces to support the election process.

The political, electoral, and intercommunal violence led to killings, including of women and children; sexual violence against women and girls; and sorcery accusation-related violence against women. Civilian infrastructure, such as homes, schools, hospitals, churches, and businesses, were damaged or destroyed. People fleeing from violence found refuge in churches and with host communities, which are under pressure to meet the basic needs of the displaced. Some have also fled to neighbouring mountains, where access to basic services is limited.

Papua New Guinea is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a path along the Pacific Ocean marked by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The country is also prone to flooding, landslides, drought, and sea-level rise, which are expected to increase in frequency, magnitude, and intensity because of climate change.

Papua New Guinea has poor coping capacities because of weak physical and communication infrastructure and governance, as well as a lack of access to healthcare.

(UNCT PNG 15/09/2022, UN 06/09/2022, Al Jazeera 16/08/2022, WB accessed 05/03/2023, WHO accessed 05/03/2023)

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current crises
in Papua New Guinea

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

PNG003 - Highlands Violence

Last updated 30/11/2023

Drivers

Earthquake

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.5 Medium

Access constraints

1.0

Analysis products
on Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea: Manam Island Volcano

07 September 2018

Papua New Guinea: Manam Island Volcano

DOCUMENT / PDF / 668 KB

Manam Volcano, on an island off the coast of Madang province in northern Papua New Guinea, erupted early in the morning of 25 August. Lava and ash are affecting nine of 13 villages on the island, which has a population of about 7,000 people. As of 28 August, two of these villages, Dangale (239 people) and Kolang (143 people), have been evacuated to unaffected locations on the island.

Natural hazards
Papua New Guinea: Dandan Centre Needs Assessment

22 May 2018

Papua New Guinea: Dandan Centre Needs Assessment

DOCUMENT / PDF / 811 KB

On 5 January, volcanic activity on Kadovar Island, one of the six Schouten Islands of Papua New Guinea, prompted all 591 residents to evacuate. The islanders have been relocated to the Dandan Care centre, located in Turubu LLG (East Sepik Province). 

Natural hazards
Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake

01 March 2018

Papua New Guinea: Highlands Earthquake

DOCUMENT / PDF / 852 KB

On 25 February an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 hit Papua New Guinea affecting mainly Southern Highlands, Hela, Western Highlands, Western Province, and Enga provinces. The affected area is mountainous and remote, although impact has been reported in Mendi city, almost 100km away. An estimated 274,600 people are within 50km of the epicentre. 

Natural hazards
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