The village of Kaokalam in Papua New Guinea is facing a devastating crisis after a massive landslide buried over 2,000 people alive. According to a report by the Papuan national disaster center, the landslide caused extensive destruction and has led to a significant increase in the number of deaths from an initial report of 670 deaths from an avalanche that occurred on Friday.
The search and rescue efforts are currently underway, but they are expected to take days due to the unstable terrain and difficult access. The Papua New Guinea Army is leading the efforts, but the remoteness of the site, ongoing movement of the terrain, and damage to access roads are slowing down progress.
The collapse of part of a mountain on Friday morning sent dirt and rocks between six and eight kilometers away, directly impacting Kaokalam, which is located 600 kilometers from Port Moresby. Dozens of houses were buried by a layer between six and eight meters deep, making rescue efforts challenging.
As many as 670 people are still missing, but this number could change as rescue efforts continue. Survivors and volunteers are working tirelessly to clear debris and improve access to the site while emergency supplies like temporary shelters, food, and water are being prepared for distribution. Evacuee centers have been established in collaboration with local authorities and the Armed Forces.
This disaster has added an extra layer of complexity to Prime Minister James Marape’s administration, which is already facing a government crisis that could potentially lead to his departure from power. Around 18 legislators linked to Marape’s party have joined the opposition, raising concerns about a possible vote of confidence. This political crisis is unfolding alongside an emergency mission to aid victims in remote province Enga.
Papua New Guinea typically experiences intense rains and flooding throughout its territory, making landslides common in various parts of the country. This disaster highlights just how vulnerable communities can be when natural disasters strike without warning.
The government must work hard to ensure that those affected by this disaster receive adequate support quickly so that they can rebuild their lives once again. It will require coordination between all stakeholders involved – including government agencies responsible for emergency response efforts, NGOs providing support on the ground, and international organizations such as UNICEF working with local authorities.
Ultimately, it is only through collective action that we can help those affected by this disaster get back on their feet – both physically and emotionally – while also ensuring that similar tragedies do not occur in future years due to poor urban planning or insufficient investment in infrastructure projects across Papua New Guinea’s vast regions.
