Papua New Guinea: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila - Disaster Management Team Situation Report No. 08 (16 May 2026)

Country: Papua New Guinea Source: UN Country Team in Papua New Guinea Please refer to the attached file. This report is produced by the Papua New Guinea Disaster Management Team (DMT) in collaboration with humanitarian partners, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) within the PNG National Disaster Center (NDC), and relevant Provincial Government partners. Sources: NEOC daily briefing minutes, Provincial SitReps, disaster needs assessment reports, official communications, and DMT/ISCG meeting minutes. It covers the period from 08 – 16 May 2026. HIGHLIGHTS As of 16 May 2026, assessments have expanded to 256 wards in 29 LLGs, across 10 districts and 5 affected provinces. Preliminary findings indicate over 128,000 people affected, with over 114,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance, and 50 reported fatalities. Priority needs identified include food assistance, shelter and NFIs, WASH, health services, and support to reach isolated and hard to reach communities. As of 15 May 2026, the National Disaster Centre’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NDC-NEOC) will be deactivated as the response transitions to the recovery phase, with coordination shifting to provincial level while maintaining national-level monitoring, weekly coordination meetings, and surge support as required for affected provinces. Logistics constraints persist due to damaged infrastructure and difficult sea conditions, with reliance on air and maritime transport. Multi‑sector response ongoing across food assistance, shelter/NFI, WASH, health, protection, and cash assistance in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), Milne Bay, East New Britain, and New Ireland, with expansion planned to West New Britain.

Original source: Relief Web