India Extends Helping Hand to Papua New Guinea After Devastating Landslide.

Ongoing Rescue and Relief Efforts

Since the landslide struck, thousands of residents have been evacuated from the still-active danger zone. The challenging terrain and remoteness of the northern Enga region have significantly hampered rescue operations. Relief teams, arriving since Friday, face the arduous task of navigating difficult access routes, with the ongoing tribal unrest necessitating military escorts.

Residents have resorted to using shovels and bare hands to search for survivors. However, the chances of finding more survivors are slim, as acknowledged by UN officials. “It is not a rescue mission, it is a recovery mission,” stated UNICEF Papua New Guinea’s Niels Kraaier. Satellite imagery has revealed the extensive damage, with debris severing the region’s only road and cutting through bushland.

Enga provincial administrator Sandis Tsaka warned of the continuing threat. “The tragedy is still active. Every hour you can hear rock breaking — it is like a bomb or gunshot and the rocks keep falling down,” he told AFP.

International Support and Aid

Papua New Guinea has received offers of aid and support from several countries, including Australia, China, and the United States, which have pledged millions to assist in the relief efforts. Military personnel have established checkpoints and are facilitating the movement of residents to evacuation centers. Despite the deployment of heavy equipment, the delivery of aid remains slow due to the challenging conditions.

Key Points of the Disaster

1. Evacuations and Military Involvement: Military personnel have set up checkpoints and are aiding in the evacuation of residents to safer areas.
2. Shift from Rescue to Recovery: With little hope of finding more survivors, efforts are now focused on recovery rather than rescue.
3. Scale of the Disaster: Satellite images show the vast extent of the landslide, with significant disruption to the region’s infrastructure.
4. Global Response: In addition to India’s immediate assistance, Australia, China, and the US have also offered substantial aid to support the rescue and relief operations.
5. Difficult Terrain and Delayed Aid: The remote location, coupled with challenging terrain and tribal unrest, has delayed the arrival of heavy equipment and aid.