Disaster relief afoot in landslide-hit Papua New Guinea despite adverse conditions: UNDP official

Disaster relief is underway in Papua New Guinea despite adverse conditions after a devastating landslide hit the country on Friday, said an official of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Papua New Guinea has informed the United Nations that more than 2,000 people are feared to have been buried by the massive landslide.

Humanitarian organizations are working with local authorities to deliver the relief supplies.

Nicholas Booth, resident representative of the UNDP in Papua New Guinea, said the terrain in the landslide-hit area is unstable and access to the area has been blocked, posing big challenges.

"It's still a very dynamic situation. In fact, the terrain is still moving. So this has been a very substantial landslide. It hit at 3:00 am on Friday, but the terrain is still moving. It's quite a remote area anyway. So it's a good couple of hours drive, northwest of the provincial capital. There's a big highway that goes all the way through the province, but the landslide has blocked that highway, so it makes it very difficult to access. So that's the major challenge," he said in a recent interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).

"The army, the police are working together with the local government and with the UN agencies and other international partners to get to the site. And we are at the site. And army engineers are at the site and they are bringing heavy earth moving machineries. It is a complicated situation. As you might know, there has been tribal conflict in that area, too. And some of that is still ongoing, unrelated to the landslide, but it means the defense escorts and this is necessary to help the convoys of aid to the site," he said.

He said the UNDP is working together with the local government and other international peers to carry out relief.

"First of all, I should say, UNDP we're not acting on our own. We are acting with the provincial government, with the support of the national disaster committee, with other UN agencies. So there's a number of different UN humanitarian agencies and other international partners on the ground, too. So, some initial assistance was given to those affected over the weekend. Some preliminary supplies were given to people affected on the ground over the weekend. Further supplies are on their way today. I don't know if they've reached there yet, but they set off this morning from the provincial capital," he said.

"I'm essentially focusing on food, water, shelter, and some other essential items, medicines as well to help with. There are health authorities on the ground to give medical assistance to survivors. So further assistance has been given to them today. An evacuation site was set up by the army over the weekend, so people are being evacuated to safety as well. So those are some of the main focuses of the effort right now," said Booth.

The landslide occurred in the mountainous Enga region in northern Papua New Guinea on Friday. Locals have been left reeling after tonnes of rock and mud smashed into their homes as they slept.

Disaster relief afoot in landslide-hit Papua New Guinea despite adverse conditions: UNDP official

Disaster relief afoot in landslide-hit Papua New Guinea despite adverse conditions: UNDP official

Disaster relief afoot in landslide-hit Papua New Guinea despite adverse conditions: UNDP official

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth