Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences and immediate assistance to Papua New Guinea in the wake of a devastating landslide that has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people and left thousands more affected.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, PM Modi stated in an official announcement that Bharat stands ready to provide all necessary support and aid to the affected families.
“As a close friend and partner within the Forum for Bharat-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FPIPC), Bharat extends immediate relief assistance of USD 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts,” read a statement from the Indian Government.
Despite challenges in reaching the remote northern Enga region, relief efforts are underway, with military personnel establishing checkpoints and assisting in evacuations. However, the difficult terrain, tribal unrest, and slow arrival of heavy equipment have hindered rescue operations.
UN officials have cautioned that the likelihood of finding survivors diminishes by the hour, shifting the focus to recovery efforts. “It is not a rescue mission, it is a recovery mission,” emphasized Niels Kraaier from UNICEF Papua New Guinea.
Satellite imagery depicts the vast scale of destruction, with debris cutting through bushland and severing the region’s only road.
As the Papua New Guinea government mobilizes support from international allies, countries like Australia, China, and the US have pledged millions in aid and assistance to aid in the rescue and recovery mission.
