The Australian Air Force swiftly transported emergency relief assistance from India to Papua New Guinea. The USD 1 million relief consignment was airlifted from Port Moresby to Kimbe, the capital of West New Britain, for distribution within the province. The Indian High Commission in Papua New Guinea expressed gratitude, highlighting the timely response to the immediate needs of Papua New Guinea.
In the previous month, a special charter flight loaded with supplies took off from New Delhi as part of India’s commitment to aiding those affected by the volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea. This initiative, encompassing approximately 11 tonnes of disaster relief material and 6 tonnes of medical aid, is part of the USD 1 million aid announced by India.
The assistance, classified as high availability disaster recovery (HADR) supplies, aims to support the people of Papua New Guinea in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption of Ulawun. This active volcano, known for sporadic eruptions, erupted on November 20, spewing smoke up to 15 km in the air.
India’s steadfast support for Papua New Guinea during natural disasters, such as the earthquake in 2018 and the volcanic eruption in 2019, underscores the enduring partnership between the two nations. Ulawun, with a history of eruptions since the 1700s, experienced a significant eruption in 2019, leading to the evacuation of over 5,000 people.
