Papua New Guinea volcanic eruption: India announces $1 million immediate relief assistance 

India announced on December 6 an immediate relief assistance of USD 1 million to Papua New Guinea to aid the island nation in addressing the damage and destruction resulting from a volcanic eruption. A major volcanic eruption of Mount Ulawun in Papua New Guinea has required the evacuation of more than 26,000 people and created urgent humanitarian needs in that region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India extended deep sympathy to the government and the people of Papua New Guinea for the damage and destruction caused by the disaster. “As a close friend and development partner under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) and as a gesture of solidarity with the friendly people of Papua New Guinea, the government of India extends immediate relief assistance to support relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Papua New Guinea,” it said. The amount announced under the assistance is USD 1 million. “India has firmly stood by Papua New Guinea during times of crisis and devastation caused by natural disasters, as in the wake of the earthquake in 2018 and volcanic eruption in 2019,” the MEA said in a statement. “Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is an important pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2019,” it said. With inputs from PTI.