A powerful El Nino weather pattern has brought drought and frost to Papua New Guinea, causing critical food shortages that now threaten more than 200,000 people, officials and aid agencies report.
Impact on Highlands and Remote Areas
The worst-hit regions are the highlands provinces of Enga, Southern Highlands, and Western Highlands, where subsistence farmers rely on rain-fed gardens. The drought has dried up water sources and killed crops such as sweet potato, the staple food. Frost at high altitudes has also damaged gardens, leaving families with little to eat.
According to the Papua New Guinea National Disaster Centre, at least 200,000 people are experiencing acute food insecurity. The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected provinces and is working with international partners to distribute food aid.
Government and Aid Response
Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement: “Our people are suffering. We are mobilizing all resources to deliver food and water to the most remote communities.” The Australian government has pledged 5 million Australian dollars in emergency assistance, including rice, water purification tablets, and medical supplies.
The United Nations World Food Programme is also supporting logistics and monitoring. “We are seeing a crisis that could worsen if the rains do not come soon,” said a WFP spokesperson.
Broader Regional Context
El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, often leading to drought in parts of the western Pacific, including Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. This year’s event has been particularly strong, with forecasters warning it could persist into early 2027.
Climate scientists note that while El Nino is natural, climate change may be intensifying its effects. “The combination of a strong El Nino and a warming planet increases the risk of extreme weather events,” said Dr. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick of the University of New South Wales.
In neighboring Pacific nations, such as Fiji and Vanuatu, El Nino has caused reduced rainfall but not yet widespread food shortages. Papua New Guinea, with its rugged terrain and limited infrastructure, is especially vulnerable to climate shocks.
