PNG urged to strengthen preparedness as El Niño dry condition persist

Papua New Guinea has been urged to strengthen its disaster preparedness as persistent El Niño dry conditions continue to threaten the country. Authorities and communities are looking at past weather patterns to gauge potential risks.

Historical data highlights the severe vulnerability of Papua New Guinea to climate phenomena of this scale. The 1997 to 1998 drought notably impacted approximately 1.2 million residents, while a subsequent severe drought and frost event in 2015 disrupted the lives of more than 2.5 million people and resulted in estimated economic damages of US$60 million.