New Delhi, May 28: Moving quickly to come to the aid of Papua New Guinea where hundreds have perished in a massive landslide, India on Tuesday extended an immediate relief assistance of US$ 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Pacific island nation.
The move came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X said India is ready to offer all possible support and assistance to Papua New Guinea where over 2,000 people are reported to have been buried alive in a massive landslide that hit the island nation on Friday.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that a massive landslide occurred on May 24 in Enga Province of Papua New Guinea which buried hundreds of people and caused major destruction and loss of life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences and conveyed India’s readiness to extend all possible support and assistance to the Pacific island country in its time of difficulty.
As a close friend and partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, Government of India extends an immediate relief assistance of US$ 1 million to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of difficulty and devastation caused by natural disasters, as in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruptions in 2019 and 2023.
An important pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI), announced by Prime Minister Modi in November 2019, is Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. India is committed to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and continues to be a responsible and steadfast responder.
In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage caused by the devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea. Our heartfelt condolences to the affected families and prayers for speedy recovery of the injured. India is ready to offer all possible support and assistance,” he said.
The acting director of Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center, Luseta Laso Mana, has told the United Nations that more than 2,000 people are believed to have been buried alive by last Friday’s landslide and has formally asked for international help.
