Drought Emergency: PNG Government Unlocks Funds for Provinces Hit by El Niño

Cabinet has approved millions of kina in emergency funding for provinces and districts across Papua New Guinea as the government moves to blunt the effects of a spreading El Niño-driven drought.

Under National Executive Council Decision No. 154/2026, K10 million has been released from the Provincial Services Improvement Program for every province, alongside K5 million per district from the District Services Improvement Program, to allow local authorities to respond as the first line of defence against the dry spell now affecting communities nationwide.

Announcing the decision at the weekend, Minister for Health and National Disaster Services Dr Billy Joseph said provincial and district administrations had been directed to lead the response on the ground, while the National Disaster Centre (NDC) would coordinate and support their efforts from the national level.

According to the August Drought Early Warning System bulletin issued by the National Weather Service, the National Capital District and Gulf Province are currently rated in extreme, or critical, drought conditions. A further ten provinces – Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Hela, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, New Ireland, Southern Highlands, West New Britain and Western – fall under a severe alert, with East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Jiwaka, Madang, Oro, West Sepik and Western Highlands listed on moderate watch over the coming three months.

Dr Joseph has also chaired the newly formed El Niño Ministerial Committee, set up under the same NEC decision to steer the government's overall response, while the NDC has been given responsibility for leading recovery work into the 2026/2027 period as secretariat at the national level. Support from development partners is being channelled through the PNG Disaster Management Team, jointly led by the NDC and the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office.

The Minister said the disaster machinery had in fact been running since mid-year, well before the drought reached its current severity. The National Emergency Operation Centre was stood up and provinces instructed to activate their own emergency centres immediately after the National Weather Service first warned of El Niño on 16 June.

Provincial disaster committees are now being strengthened to finalise their response plans, with the NDC helping arrange emergency supplies, transport, storage and training across affected regions. Starlink satellite internet is also being rolled out to every province to keep communication lines open between national and provincial disaster teams.

Residents in drought-hit areas have been urged to use water sparingly and to alert their Provincial Disaster Officer or the NDC's National Emergency Operation Centre of any hardship, using the toll-free number 113, landline 325 2313, WhatsApp 7999 8666, or email neoc@pngndc.gov.pg. Members of the public can also reach NEOC manager Andrew Oaego or Kupson Siga for further assistance.

"Government is aware, and Government is acting," Dr Joseph said.