Disaster · Drought · Impact 4 Major

El Niño drought in Papua New Guinea declared 'national crisis', up to 8 million affected

30 Oct 2026, 01:45 UTC · ≈ Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea · single source so far

Extreme El Niño-driven drought is causing food and water shortages, electricity blackouts and clinic closures, affecting as many as 8 million people. A coalition of churches, unions and business groups calls it a national crisis and says there is no coordinated plan to protect vulnerable communities.

Location: ≈ Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea · Papua New Guinea live map
Coordinates: ≈ 9.44°S 147.18°E
Reported: 30 Oct 2026, 01:45 UTC
Category: Disaster · Drought
Impact: 4 of 5 · Major
Situation: Papua New Guinea drought

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Papua New Guinea drought declared a 'national crisis', up to 8 million affected

A coalition of churches, unions and business groups has declared the El Niño-driven drought in Papua New Guinea a national crisis. The drought is causing food and water shortages, electricity blackouts and clinic closures, affecting as many as 8 million people. The coalition says there is no coordinated plan to protect vulnerable communities.

Up to 8 million people are affected, according to the report.
Food and water shortages, blackouts and clinic closures are reported.
The coalition says no coordinated plan exists to protect vulnerable communities.

Updated 30 Oct 2026, 02:19 UTC · Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.