Disaster Mitigation

Disasters disrupt the daily lives of people. Gardens and food sources are damaged, water sources are contaminated, infrastructures are damaged and access to services like clinics and schools is difficult. Disasters are often set-backs to development. NARI's vision for prosperous Papua New Guinean agricultural communities binds it to contributing to the national effort of minimising and relieving impacts of disasters particularly on the agricultural population, which makes up more than 85 per cent of PNG's 5.5 million people.

NARI's Roles and Responsibilities

Bearing in mind that natural disasters include droughts and frosts, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, floods and bush fires, NARI's research will either directly or indirectly address impacts of most of these disasters, if not all. Activities undertaken fall into three main categories: Preparedness/Prevention; Response; and Recovery.

Preparedness/Prevention

  1. Short term pre drought response strategies (Drought Response Project)
  2. Long-term drought response strategies (Drought Response Project)
  3. Indigenous drought and frost coping strategies (UN/CGPRT Project)
  4. Rice variety evaluation and storage/preservation development (Rice & Grain Project)
  5. Frost tolerant crops and risk management (EU Frost Management HAHP, Tambul)
  6. Preservation of plant genetic resources for diversity and development (sweet potato, cassava, yam, taro, aibika and banana)
  7. Awareness on drought and frosts, environmental protection (stabilisation of slopes using natural vegetation, bush fire danger) and water management
  8. Establishment of information dissemination centers at provincial level
  9. Assistance in development of contingency plans with disaster offices

Response

  1. Short-term drought mitigation strategies (Drought Response Project)
  2. Assessments and monitoring of disasters (NARI, AusAid & National Disaster Office)
  3. Continued awareness to avoid escalation of problems like fires during drought periods

Recovery

  1. Short-term post drought coping strategies (Drought Response Project)
  2. Assessments for rehabilitation
  3. Gazelle Restoration Authority to rehabilitate the volcanic township of Rabaul
  4. Manam Islanders Resettlement Area Assessment


For further information, Contact

Dr. A. Ramakrishna
NARI Main Highlands Programme
P.O Box 210, SIL, UKARUMPA
Eastern Highlands Province
Papua New Guinea

Phone: (675) 737 3500
Fax: (675) 737 3516
Email: a.ramakrishna@nari.org.pg