Australia delivers emergency support to remote communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila

“Today’s distribution in Saposa is one example of how Australian support is helping reach communities with the essentials they need now like food, water and practical supplies, while longer-term recovery continues.” Roselyn Mantanung, Country Manager, Plan International PNG. IMAGE: Plan International PNG

In Bougainville, PNG, Plan International is continuing to deliver humanitarian assistance to remote communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Maila, via the Australian Government’s Australian Humanitarian Partnership.

The response is helping families recover from the destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding and storm surges that damaged homes, food gardens, water sources and essential infrastructure across parts of eastern PNG, and in Bougainville, low-lying island and coastal communities have faced disrupted access to food, safe water and basic household items, with women, children especially girls, the elderly and persons with disabilities among those most affected.

In late June, 2026, Plan International teams and local partners supported distribution efforts in Saposa community, providing food supplies and other essential items to those impacted. The assistance is designed to meet immediate needs while families work to repair shelters, re-establish gardens and restore daily routines disrupted by the disaster.

Distribution packages include staple food items and practical essentials that help families prepare meals, maintain hygiene and protect their wellbeing in the weeks following the cyclone. Plan International is prioritising support based on community assessments and coordination with local authorities, with a focus on reaching households facing the greatest barriers to recovery.

The Saposa distribution builds on previous support provided to several affected communities, including the delivery of water supplies where safe drinking water was compromised by flooding and damage to local systems. These water distributions helped families meet urgent household needs while reducing the risks associated with unsafe or limited water access after the cyclone.

Distribution packages include staple food items and practical essentials that help families prepare meals, maintain hygiene and protect their wellbeing in the weeks following the cyclone IMAGE: Plan International PNG

Plan International has been responding in coordination with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, through their established Emergency Command Centres in North, Central and South Bougainville, local leaders, community representatives, the Australian Government, and other humanitarian actors. The AHP enables rapid support to be mobilised through trusted local networks, helping ensure assistance is delivered quickly, safely and in line with community priorities.

“Families in Bougainville are working hard to recover, but many continue to face serious challenges after Cyclone Maila,” said Roselyn Mantanung, Plan International PNG’s Country Manager. “Today’s distribution in Saposa is one example of how Australian support is helping reach communities with the essentials they need now like food, water and practical supplies, while longer-term recovery continues.”

TC Maila caused widespread damage across PNG and Solomon Islands in April, affecting communities already exposed to climate-related hazards, isolation and limited access to services. In PNG, Bougainville and Milne Bay were among the areas most severely affected, with food security, shelter, hygiene and water access identified as priority concerns.

Plan International’s response is centred on the needs and voices of affected children and their families, particularly girls and women, who can face heightened protection, health and wellbeing risks after disasters. Teams continue to monitor needs across affected communities and adapt distributions as recovery progresses.

“This partnership shows what can be achieved when communities, local authorities and humanitarian partners work together,” said to Tukatara Tangi, Plan International Australia’s Senior Program Manager Humanitarian. “With support from the AHP, Plan International will continue standing with communities in Bougainville as they recover and rebuild.”