Papua New Guinea — humanitarian situation

Papua New Guinea is facing a compounding climate emergency as El Niño conditions, present since mid-2026, are forecast to peak between October and December 2026 and are expected to persist into early 2027 (UNCT PNG, OCHA; Govt. PNG). The Niño 3.4 sea surface temperature anomaly measured in September already exceeds every previous El Niño event on record, including 1997 and 2015 UNCT PNG, OCHA. The Government declared the El Niño event in June 2026 and established an ENSO Task Force under the National Disaster Centre, with 15 Pacific Island countries, including PNG, now in the "Response Monitoring" phase OCHA. Compounding this, National Capital District and Gulf Province remain in drought, and Western Province has newly transitioned to drought-critical status (Govt. PNG). Separately, Tropical Cyclone Maila triggered flash flooding in East New Britain Province, destroying homes and displacing families, as documented in affected communities such as Karavia Number One Ward IFRC. Assessed provinces are already reporting water shortages, crop losses and rising food prices linked to El Niño impacts UNCT PNG, OCHA, though specific population-in-need figures were not detailed in the available sources. Flood-affected households in East New Britain, including families whose wooden homes were destroyed by the Cyclone Maila-triggered surge, represent a further displacement caseload within an already climate-stressed population IFRC. Sector concerns center on food security and WASH, given reported crop failures, water scarcity and food price increases across drought- and El Niño-affected provinces (UNCT PNG, OCHA; Govt. PNG). Health surveillance continues through the Pacific Syndromic Surveillance System, with weekly bulletins covering PNG and the region WHO, alongside regional measles resurgence concerns flagged by WHO's Western Pacific office. Shelter and protection needs are evident among flood-displaced families in East New Britain IFRC. Separately, CARE International concluded its Wanbel Wantaim peacebu