Papua New Guinea: Emergency response operations ongoing in Enga Province as of May 28 after major landslide /update 2

Emergency response operations are likely to persist in Enga Province over the coming weeks following a major landslide May 24. The landslide occurred in the vicinity of Mount Mungalo and the villages of Kaokalam and Yambali. Authorities are evacuating around 7,900 people from remote villages near the landslide as a precaution due to the risk of further landslides.

Papua New Guinea's National Disaster Center estimates at least 2,000 people are buried under the debris; it is increasingly unlikely that survivors will be found. Casualty estimates vary; the UN estimates at least 670 fatalities. Only five bodies have been retrieved. The main road route into the area, the Highlands Highway, has been severed. Rescue and relief efforts are hampered by the remote location, severed road link, heavy rainfall, and tribal violence nearby. Emergency response operations are largely being facilitated by helicopter. Evacuation centers have been established near the site.

Officials have deployed additional security personnel to guard aid convoys traveling to the site due to security concerns. Tribal fighting, unrelated to the landslide event, left at least eight people dead May 25 in the vicinity of Tambitanis. Homes and businesses were also destroyed during the violence. The village is located on the route leading from Wabag to Yambali. Officials are also concerned about potential looting of aid convoys.

Emergency response operations are likely to continue for several weeks at least. The movement of aid and emergency personnel into the area is likely to lead to congestion along local roads and at airports serving the area. Additional security will also likely remain in place to safeguard emergency aid convoys and personnel and to contain any further outbreaks of communal violence.