Provincial counter disaster preparedness in Papua New Guinea : identifying critical elements and aggregate requirements

The subject of disasters has emerged as a critical issue confronting many nations of the world today. They have become multidimensional with aspects and implications that are not only political, medical and organizational but psychological, social, legal etc. It has been the experience that those communities that are located in disaster prone areas over time, have become more vulnerable to the effects of disasters with some degree of repetition and regularity. Papua New Guinea's geographical location and disaster history permits it no exception. With increasing populations, urbanization and economic prosperity has potentially placed both human and capital development at risk. Since the introduction of Provincial Governments through the process of Decentralization and consequent transfer of functional responsibilities to the nineteen (19) provinces including the National Capital District in 19-76/77, little has been known of their levels of disaster preparedness, quite apart from their normal administrative functions. The question is whether or not current arrangements for disaster response are adequate. In view of decentralization and the present climate of change, all central governmental and provincial organizations concerned should review their policies and methods of operations and even some of their fundamental assumptions about their roles in disaster preparedness. This study examines the roles and relationship of organizations or agencies and their capabilities in the area of disaster preparedness in Papua New Guinea. (PNG). I have particularly focussed my analysis and proposals on provincial level preparedness in an effort to produce a practical reference guide of use to provincial and local level administrators or planners