With support from the Governments of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is partnering with national, provincial, and local authorities to protect vulnerable communities from El Niño.
As El Niño-related drought, frost, and water scarcity threaten food security, livelihoods, and essential services, IOM is supporting government-led, evidence-based action across Papua New Guinea.
This initiative contributes to the wider United Nations El Niño Anticipatory Action, Response and Resilient Recovery Plan by strengthening technical readiness, generating timely data, and delivering targeted support to communities in need.
As dry conditions affect different parts of the country, IOM is helping government counterparts identify emerging risks, improve preparedness, and guide assistance to the last mile.
This support reflects the three interconnected areas of the United Nations approach: coordinated technical support; stronger data and evidence for decision-making; and last-mile delivery across anticipatory action, response, and early recovery.
In West New Britain and New Ireland, IOM has integrated El Niño questions into ongoing Tropical Cyclone Maila last-mile assessments, enabling provincial authorities to use existing deployments to reach remote communities.
Preliminary findings point to damage to food gardens, reduced harvests, rising food prices, water shortages, and interruptions to schooling. The evidence is helping authorities prioritize needs and plan timely action.
In Hela Province, more than 40 government officials, including district and Local-Level Government managers, agriculture and community development officers, and disaster management focal points, completed IOM-supported training on drought preparedness, community awareness, and digital assessments.
Participants will support awareness and assessments across the province’s four districts and eighteen Local-Level Governments, strengthening local systems for early action.
In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, IOM is supporting the authorities in operationalizing drought preparedness and response plans.
Following technical support to the Bougainville Directorate of Disaster, the North Bougainville District Development Authority approved PGK 3.5 million for drought response.
IOM is now supporting government-led assessments, preparedness planning, and response and recovery training, so resources can be directed to priority needs.
With support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) Flexible Fund, IOM and the Autonomous Bougainville Government are also delivering community training in Iangain, Wonolek Ward, and Pinapel Island.
The training builds on community consultations and drought assessments, focusing on disaster risk reduction, sustainable agriculture, nature-based approaches, and water management, turning locally identified priorities into practical last-mile action.
“Preparedness begins before a crisis. By aligning partner support with government leadership and coordinated United Nations efforts, we can identify risks early, use evidence to direct resources where they are most needed, and help communities protect lives and livelihoods,” said Tedius Owiti, IOM’s Chief of Mission ad interim.
With support from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, IOM will continue working with government and United Nations partners to strengthen coordination, generate timely evidence, and deliver targeted last-mile support to communities most at risk from El Niño.