Emergency, Disaster Relief & Preparedness

ADRA PNG is committed to saving lives, easing suffering, and building resilience in communities affected by disasters. Through strategic partnerships and community-driven initiatives, ADRA PNG plays a vital role in disaster risk reduction (DRR), emergency response, and long-term recovery efforts across Papua New Guinea. ADRA PNG has over 33 years of experience designing, implementing, and monitoring community-first humanitarian work in PNG. Since 2022, ADRA PNG has provided lifesaving aid to 170,00 people, including 54,000 children, in 18 schools.

Immediate Relief & Nutritional Support

Shelter and Non-Food Item Provision

Health & Hygiene Promotion

Emergency Educational Support

Psychological Support (PSS) & Community Resilience Building

Overview of ADRA PNG’s humanitarian work (since 2022)

Disaster Ready Chuch (DRC)

The Disaster Ready Churches (DRC) Project, funded by the South Pacific Division and the PNG Union Mission of the SDA Church, is empowering churches to serve as hubs of resilience and hope during disasters. Papua New Guinea faces frequent crises such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, tribal conflicts and the growing impacts of climate change. With the increase in congregations after the PNG for Christ Program in 2024, the church is uniquely positioned to mobilize communities before, during and after emergencies.

Key achievements include:

A Church Emergency Management Plan developed with PNGUM.
Training for leaders, pastors and youth in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM).
Installation of inclusive community facilities such as water systems, handwashing areas, and disability ramps at Minj town church in Jiwaka.
Distribution of disaster kits to strengthen church and community response in Jiwaka Province .
Planting of more than 4,500 trees in flood-prone areas along Wagi river in Jiwaka, helping prevent erosion, restore landscapes and fight climate change.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Food Security

ADRA PNG is strengthening community resilience through a combined focus on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Food Security. With Papua New Guinea facing recurring floods, droughts, and climate challenges, ADRA works directly with vulnerable communities to build preparedness and ensure sustainable food supplies.

In Western Province, ADRA has helped establish Disaster Risk Reduction Committees across local wards in the South Fly district. These groups lead hazard mapping, vulnerability assessments and awareness activities, while being equipped with communication tools to coordinate responses and keep communities informed during emergencies.

At the same time, ADRA is promoting climate-smart farming and food processing. Families are learning improved techniques such as single-vine sweet potato planting and cassava flour processing, alongside the introduction of blight-tolerant taro and other resilient crops. These efforts are not only protecting families from food shortages during disasters but also creating new income opportunities through local markets. Together, disaster readiness and food security are transforming communities into safer, stronger, and more self-reliant hubs of resilience.

Psychosocial Support & Mental Health

When disasters strike, the wounds are not only physical but also emotional. Survivors face grief, trauma, and fear long after the immediate crisis is over. To respond, ADRA PNG is delivering Psychosocial Support (PSS) and Mental Health & Social Support (MHSS) programs that help communities heal and recover with dignity.

In Enga Province, following the Mulitaka landslide in 2024, ADRA trained church leaders, teachers, health workers and community representatives in Psychological First Aid (PFA), stress management, leadership in crisis and inclusive care (GEDSI). Participants practiced the “Look, Listen, Link” model and created community action plans to support long-term recovery. Already, 80% of trainees demonstrated stronger skills in psychosocial care, with survivors sharing testimonies of restored hope and resilience. Beyond training, the program also promotes self-care, coping strategies and spiritual encouragement, helping individuals and communities rebuild their lives. ADRA believes that true recovery means not only rebuilding homes, but also restoring hearts and minds.

Youth leading community justice and resilience

(Upcoming Project)

ADRA PNG aims to address human-caused disasters and conflicts, crucial for promoting justice. The underserved area of pre-conflict resolution is our focus, as we train youth and foster peaceful dialogue and become community changemakers. The project is primarily funded by the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Community Justice Fund.

The development of toolkits will organize and advocate for positive change, while identifying legal systems and exploring how to access these resources. A core focus of the training will be on first aid and providing youth with the necessary skills to act as first responders, as well as raising awareness on justice, psychosocial support, safeguarding, mental health, and GBV.