The United States provides immediate emergency assistance to support communities affected by Mount Ulawun volcanic eruptions

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing immediate emergency assistance to support communities affected by volcanic eruptions at Mount Ulawun.  At the request of the Government of Papua New Guinea, USAID is providing U.S. $500,000 (1.85 million Kina) to meet immediate humanitarian needs and assist displaced families to safely return to their homes when permitted.

This contribution is in addition to existing USAID-supported disaster preparedness programs, through which USAID partner the International Organization for Migration (IOM) immediately deployed disaster response experts to assess needs for evacuees in support of provincial authorities in West New Britain and East New Britain. 

Since November 20, multiple eruptions from Papua New Guinea’s Mount Ulawun Volcano have resulted in five deaths, affecting over 24,000 people and displacing over 16,000 people to evacuation centers in East New Britain and West New Britain provinces.  Ash plumes rose at least 15,000 meters from the volcano, with lava and ash fall harming oil palm trees, water sources, household gardens, and properties in nearby areas. 

In a statement, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Katherine Monahan said “Leveraging our humanitarian expertise, the United States is pleased to answer the request of our partner, the Government of Papua New Guinea, and support its efforts in response to eruptions at Mount Ulawun.”

Long-standing USAID investments in disaster risk reduction programs in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific are active year-round. Since 2013, USAID has supported IOM to strengthen community-based disaster risk management planning, disaster preparedness planning, and safe shelter support. 

Recently, USAID supported the response to the Mount Bagana eruption in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, providing US $500,000 in critical relief items such as shelter and water tanks. At the request of USAID, the U.S. military provided essential equipment and transport to help last-mile delivery of emergency relief to thousands of people in hard-to-reach areas.