Papua New Guinea’s most disaster-prone communities are set to benefit from a major new resilience-building initiative aimed at enhancing early warning systems and disaster response. The Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific Phase II (BSRP II) project was officially launched this week at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby.
Funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund the €14 million regional initiative targets 14 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste with a special focus on Papua New Guinea’s high-risk zones, which are prone to volcanic activity, earthquakes, and extreme weather due to their location on tectonic plate boundaries.
The project would connect remote communities, including the elderly and people with disabilities, to early warnings that could save lives. Implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), the BSRP II project for PNG includes five major upgrades:
- A National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre with advanced technology and a full-time coordinator.
- Modernisation of seismic monitoring, including upgrading the Lae Seismic Station.
- PNG first database to track vulnerable populations during disasters.
- A new Climate Resilience School Infrastructure Policy supported by digital monitoring tools.
- Targeted digital communication systems to improve the speed and reach of disaster alerts.
Highlighted the importance of international cooperation.This project reflects the EU’s long-term commitment to helping Pacific nations tackle the challenges of climate change and natural disasters through strong partnerships.
The National Steering Committee guiding the initiative includes members from the National Disaster Centre, Weather Service, Geophysical Observatory, and various departments of education and community development.
Planned actions for 2025 include:
- Procuring equipment for the Early Warning Centre
- Upgrading the National Disaster Centre’s information systems
- Enhancing the Lae Seismic Station
- Re-establishing a database for vulnerable groups
- Launching awareness campaigns to strengthen community preparedness
The BSRP II initiative will run through November 2026, with similar programs being rolled out across the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste aiming to build a more resilient region in the face of escalating natural disasters.