Humanitarian assistance to Papua New Guinea

Today during a visit to Port Moresby, I announce additional support for recovery and reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea's highlands region following the devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake on 26 February.

More than 125 people were killed by the earthquake and its aftershocks and the UN estimates 500,000 people have been affected.

Australia has been helping with relief efforts through emergency supplies and specialist personnel, transport and distribution in affected areas, helping to restore electricity and supporting vulnerable women and children.

The ADF has played a vital role by providing a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules and three Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters to support humanitarian activities. These have enabled ADF members and their PNG Defence Force counterparts to deliver food, water and medicine to remote and badly affected communities.

My visit to Papua New Guinea will also give me the opportunity to meet and thank Australian Defence Force members who have been supporting the humanitarian relief effort.

The Australian Government is now providing an additional $3.4 million in assistance to help affected communities re-establish their livelihoods, repair and rebuild infrastructure and restore water and sanitation, with a specific focus on the needs of women, girls and people with disabilities. We have also deployed a three-person Australian Medical Assistance Team to assess health needs and determine what additional assistance may be required.

This brings our humanitarian aid for the earthquake response to $5 million.

Australia and PNG have a close and enduring friendship and we stand ready to provide further support to affected communities, if required.