UN's Response to Earthquake in PNG

On 26 February 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea (PNG), affecting an estimated 544,000 people in five provinces – Enga, Gulf, Hela, Southern Highlands and Western provinces, with Hela and Southern Highlands the most affected. More than 270,000 people, including 125,000 children, have been left in immediate need of life-saving assistance.

On 28 March, the Disaster Management Team (DMT) issued the Highlands Earthquake Response Plan, which seeks US$ 62 million to provide life-saving assistance and help re-establish basic services for 270,000 people in need of immediate assistance due to the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks and landslides. It also aims to help restore livelihoods of affected people and ensure protection services for the most vulnerable.