SYDNEY: Over 2,000 people were buried alive in a massive Papua New Guinea landslide last week. The treacherous terrain and aid accessibility challenges heighten the risk of finding survivors.
Local authorities’ estimates of those buried around Yambali village in Enga province have been rising steadily since Friday’s landslide. The numbers reflect the dire situation.
A UN agency put the estimated death toll at more than 670 people on Sunday.
The National Disaster Centre raised the toll to 2,000 in a letter to the UN on Sunday, released publicly on Monday. It highlighted significant destruction to buildings and food gardens caused by the landslide.
“The situation remains unstable as the landslip continues to shift slowly, posing ongoing danger to both the rescue teams and survivors alike,” according to the letter.
CARE International PNG country director Justine McMahon told ABC television on Monday that about 4,000 people lived nearby.
Accurately estimating the local population is challenging due to PNG’s outdated census data from 2000. A new census is planned for 2024.
Emergency crews, led by PNG’s defense personnel, were on the ground. The first excavator reached the site late Sunday.
As Papua New Guinea grapples with the aftermath of the devastating landslide, international assistance and solidarity play a crucial role in supporting the nation’s recovery efforts.
Moreover, lessons learned from this tragedy must inform policies and strategies aimed at enhancing disaster resilience and response capabilities in Papua New Guinea and beyond.
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