Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, visited Yambali village, Enga province, following a devastating landslide on May 24, 2024. The disaster reportedly buried over 2,000 people and killed an estimated 670 villagers, displacing 1,650 survivors.

Making his first appearance at the site on May 31, Marape apologized for not visiting sooner and thanked international donors, including governments and world leaders from the United States, China, India, France, Malaysia, and the Czech Republic, for their support. King Charles III also sent condolences.

Marape announced an emergency fund of 20 million kina ($5.1 million) for immediate response and recovery. The recovery effort, led by the Enga Provincial Disaster Committee, faces challenges due to ongoing earth movements and unstable conditions, complicating the use of heavy machinery. While villagers have used simple tools to search for survivors and retrieve bodies, only six bodies have been found so far.

The landslide destroyed 1,400 homes and affected up to 7,500 residents. Ongoing instability and the threat of further landslips pose significant risks to survivors and recovery operations. Australian and New Zealand experts have been called in for assistance, while local and international aid organizations are providing relief supplies.

There is also a growing risk of disease due to buried water streams and decomposing bodies, and authorities may need to evacuate up to 8,000 people. Disputes over land and mining operations have further complicated the deployment of necessary equipment to clear debris from the area.