Overview
The West New Britain Provincial Division of Disaster & Emergency is a government agency established within the West New Britain Provincial Administration, under the Social Services Sector as an implementation agency responsible for all aspects of Disaster Management in the Province, mandated under National Disaster Management Act 1984.
The Purpose of establishing a Provincial Disaster & Emergency Division (also referred to as a Provincial Disaster Office / Provincial Disaster Centre) is to provide a localized disaster risk management and emergency response mechanism that supports the Province in dealing with natural hazards and emergencies effectively, in line with International Disaster Management Charters such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) and Sendai Framework 2015-2030, various National Frameworks such as Vision 20250, DSP 2010-2030, Medium Term Development Plan (MTDPs), the National Disaster Management Plan 2012, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework (NDRRF) 2017-2030, the West New Briain Provincial Administrations Corporate Plan 2020 – 2025 and West New Britain Integrated Provincial Development Plan (IPDP) 2022-2027.
Core Functions
The key functions of the Provincial Division of Disaster & Emergency, in accordance with National Disaster Management Act (and related national frameworks), are:
- Coordinate Disaster Preparedness and Response
The Division serves as first responder and coordinating body at Provincial level for disasters and emergencies such as volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, landslides, storms, and other hazards. It ensures the province is ready to respond quickly and effectively when incidents occur.
- Act as Secretariat to Provincial Disaster Committee (PD-Comm)
Provide secretariat role to Provincial Disaster Committee in matters of disaster & emergency responses prior, during, and post disaster management.
- Advise the Provincial Executive Council (PEC)
It provides expert advice to the Provincial Executive Council (through the Governor/ Provincial Administrator) on disaster-related matters, ensuring that Provincial development plans and policies consider hazard risks and mitigation measures.
- Assess Provincial Risks and Hazards
The Division is responsible for identifying common hazards in the province (for example, volcanic activity and flooding zones in West New Britain) and conducting risk assessments to inform planning and mitigation strategies.
- Develop Disaster Emergency Plans and Contingencies
It prepares contingency and emergency plans tailored to the province’s specific risk profile, including procedures for response, evacuation, and emergency operations.
- Public Awareness and Training
The Division helps raise awareness among communities about disaster risks and promotes preparedness through education and training of relief workers and officials.
- Liaison with National and External Agencies
While operating locally, it also coordinates with the National Disaster Centre and other Stakeholders (e.g., National Government Agencies, NGOs, Development Partners) for support when Provincial capacity is exceeded.
Key Responsibilities
West New Britain Province is prone to multiple natural hazards, including active volcanoes and severe weather events. A dedicated Provincial Disaster & Emergency team ensures that the Provincial Government can:
- Liaise with the National Disaster Office and other relevant national agencies and organizations on disaster issues
- Respond rapidly to emergencies
- Coordinate resources and personnel effectively across Districts
- Integrate disaster risk management into development planning
- Strengthen community resilience and recovery efforts
- Training and Awareness on disaster issues
Without this Division, disaster response would be less coordinated and slower, potentially increasing the impact on lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Programs & Services
The Provincial Disaster and Emergency Division is established to deliver the following programs and services in line with the Disaster Management Cycle:
- Disaster Emergency Management
Disaster Emergency Management is responsible for Governance and administration of all Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programs and activities in the Province, including Districts and Local Level Governments and Wards. It is also responsible for policy development & plans, DRR/DRM budget, and implementation.
- Disaster Operations
This program is responsible for planning coordination and executing the operations plan for disaster response. It is also responsible for the training and Capacity Building of staff
to prepare themselves with the skills and knowledge required to execute disaster response
effectively & efficiently.
- Mitigation and Preparedness
Mitigation and preparedness programs involve activities that are aimed at reducing disaster risk
and enhancing community readiness, which includes risk assessment, community education, and
awareness, emergency planning, including a community-based disaster risk plan
(CBDRM), infrastructure and facility improvement, establishing an early warning system (EWS),
resources mobilization and management, training of local responders, simulation, and emergency drills.
- Volcano Observatory & Monitoring
Basically, part of Mitigation and Preparedness but specific to Volcano as we have four which are active with one currently being monitored. This program covers, Visual and Seismic observation (Observatory), assist in the installation of Seismic instruments and maintenances in collaboration with Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) in association with Department of Mineral policy and Geo-Hazard Management DMPGM) and Port Moresby Geo-Physical Observatory (POMGO).
- Disaster Emergency Operation and Relief Responses
This program also involves planning and coordinating emergency operations, search & rescue (SAR) operations, deployment of search teams, registering and processing survivors or victims and or Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) and coordinating relief supplies to affected people and communities.
Structure & Leadership
The Division is headed by the Director of Disaster, who oversees teams responsible for specific functional areas, including:
- Admin and Logistics which is part of Disaster Emergency Management and Administration
- Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness which is part of policy development that include disaster risk reduction (DRR)/disaster risk management (DRM) activities, early warning system (EWS) and decision support mechanisms (DSM).
- Disaster Emergency Operations which include volcano observation concentrating on four active volcanoes in the Province, search & rescue (SAR) and disaster relief response.
Strategic Focus
The Division of Provincial Disaster and Emergency is committed to:
- Governance and Institutional Strengthening- This focuses on building strong disaster governance systems at the provincial and district levels
Initiatives:
- Establishment of District Disaster Committees, Offices, and Manpower
- Reconstruction and Strengthening of the Provincial Disaster Office Base
- Policy, Planning and Framework Development – Ensures plans, policies, and operational guidance are updated.
Initiatives:
- Review and Update of the WNB Provincial Disaster Risk Management Plan (PDRM)
- Review/Update of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
- Review/Update of Mt. Ulawun Emergency Response Plan
- Development of Mt. Ulawun Recovery, Restoration & Resettlement Plan.
- Development of a Five-Year Disaster Strategic Plan
- Preparedness and Early Warning System- Focuses on reducing disaster impact before it occurs.
Initiatives:
- Improvement and Establishment of an Effective Early Warning System
- Establishment of Bialla Forward Operations Base
- Capacity Building & Human Resource Development- Ensures trained and competent disaster management personnel.
Initiatives:
- Training and Capacity Building for Partners and Stakeholders
- Recruitment and deployment of district manpower
Key Milestone Achievements
- WNB PDRMP & SOP
- Provincial Disaster & Emergency Five Years Strategic Plan
- Mt Ulavun Emergency Response Plan
- Mt Ulavun Recovery, Restoration and Resettlement Plan
- Installation of VSAT at Disaster Headquarters for communication
- Funding and construction of Two Communication towers
- Installation of Disaster Radio Comm Repeater Station
- VHF Radio Network
- Construction of Bunker & Installation of Seismic Station
- Procurement and Operation of Disaster Search & Rescue Boat
Contact Information
For enquiries related to this Division, please contact:
Division: Provincial Disaster & Emergency
Phone: +675 9840817/+675 984666/+675 9834384
Email: clement.bailey@wnb.gov.pg
Location: Governors Hill, Portion No.64, Section, Kimbe Town, West New Britain Province