Flooding Delays Kiunga Livelihoods Project but Progress Continues

Memeyok village and program staff in front of a newly installed water tank funded by Mercy Works donors.

As earlier reported by Mercy Works in mid-2024, three months of continuous rainfall in Papua New Guinea’s remote Western Province caused severe flooding and damage. Communities that Mercy Works is currently partnering with on the Kiunga Livelihoods project, were severely affected. The floods isolated and displaced villages, washed out roads and destroyed food sources such as vegetable gardens. In response, Mercy Works and kind supporters provided emergency famine relief.

The rollout of the Kiunga Livelihoods Project was delayed by two months due to the flooding. Prior to the floods, the project was already facing challenges related to the remoteness of the villages, e.g. communication difficulties between visits and the impact of the heavy rains on travel. The flooding further disrupted efforts to bring the project back on schedule, especially in relation to the installation of critical water tanks in local villages.

Despite these difficulties, two water tanks were successfully transported via the swollen river and are now in place, though they still require minor parts and plumbing work to become operational. The installation of two additional tanks has been delayed by heavy rainfall and vehicle breakdowns, but the project team is working closely with a local parish priest and using a tractor to complete this task.

Water levels remain high, which has stalled other key activities such as the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiative. However, efforts to resolve these issues, including the recruitment of a trainer, are underway. In the meantime, the focus on livelihoods continues with the distribution of banana seeds to border villages, ensuring some progress despite the adverse conditions. Completion of the first water tanks remains the immediate priority.