WHILST Makira assessment still going, The NDMO is in the process of sending its officers to Shortland and Choisuel, as a result of the 7.9 earthquake near New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea on Saturday 17^th December, 2016.

The purpose of the deployment is to verify reports received during the quake, and establish arrangements for further verification of information using available resources in the province.

These Officers will support the coordination of provincial disaster response team to conduct the initial damage assessments at the reported affected villages.

The Assessment teams will be expected to use a newly introduced kobo tool kit for data collection during the assessments, and the overall disaster assessment report is expected to be produced soon after the assessments.

In the meantime, the NDMO through NEOC is closely liaising with police officers at Shortland and Taro Islands to gather necessary information before deciding on what to do next in planning to respond to the event.

The NDMO would once again would like to inform the general public that, there will be continuous tremor following the Makira and PNG recent earthquake. It is also noted that, the continuous rain will increase the possibility of landslide in quake shaken areas.

The NDMO officers will be deployed once arrangements are set.