PNG, US Forces Launch Four-Day Disaster Drill in Lae

PNG, US Forces Launch Four-Day Disaster Drill in Lae/Photo supplied

Emergency responders from Papua New Guinea and the United States have begun a four-day disaster preparedness exercise in Lae, Morobe Province, aimed at strengthening the country's capacity to deal with natural calamities.

The joint field training kicked off yesterday at the Lae International Hotel, bringing together the PNG Defence Force, PNG Red Cross and local civil protection units alongside their American counterparts in what organisers describe as a hands-on effort to build safer, more resilient communities.

Morobe Province, while rich in natural beauty, remains one of the areas most vulnerable to flooding, landslides and prolonged dry spells. Over the course of the exercise, the combined teams will run through practical scenarios covering search and rescue operations, emergency first aid, and the setup and management of safe evacuation shelters.

Organisers say the initiative reflects a shared commitment between Port Moresby and Washington to ensure frontline responders are equipped to international standards, so that when disaster strikes, help is close at hand and properly trained.