Bishop of Daru-Kuinga Appeals for Prayers for Rain as El Niño Devastates Western Province

An Urgent Pastoral Appeal from His Lordship Bishop Joseph Durero SVD

DARU-KIUNGA, Western Province – His Lordship Bishop Joseph Durero SVD, Bishop of Daru-Kiunga, has made an urgent appeal for prayers for rain and for the people affected by the El Niño-induced drought in Western Province and in many parts of the country during Mass this morning at the Catholic Bishops Conference in Port Moresby.

In an emotional appeal, Bishop Durero said communities across the province are facing severe shortages of food and fuel, with no end in sight.

"The ships cannot come to deliver food because the water levels are low in Western Province. Oh, speak to that. So it means no food, no fuel, and everything. Oh, the situation is becoming worse; please pray for us. Pray for rains, that's all. We are asking for rain," the Bishop said.

"Just ask God to send rain, and the communities will have life."

Bishop Durero described the current crisis as the worst in decades, linking it to climate change. He noted that while there were similar drought stories in 1987 and around 2000, the current situation is different and more severe.

"And this is the worst; there are stories, stories before 1987, something around 2000, similar thing, but now it's a really different time since April, May, June, July, August and now October. Our rivers are also drying," he said.

He called on Catholics and all people of good will to include Western Province in their prayers, with particular concern for the inland districts.

"Please include us in your prayers, Western Province as a whole, especially North and Middle Fly. The Daru, we call it South Fly. It's a long sea. So, it's a different situation there," he said.

The Bishop made this appeal for prayers during Mass.

During this month of the Holy Rosary, let us all therefore remember to pray for all who are suffering from the current El Niño situation. Let us remember to pray for one another.

A father collects drinking water from a hand-dug well in Western Province. With rain absent since April, communities are forced to rely on shallow, shrinking sources far from the villages. "We are asking for rain... that the people will have life" (Bishop Durero)

Situation on the Ground

The Bishop's appeal comes as other testimonies from Western Province point to worsening conditions:

•  Food and Store Goods: Residents in Fly River report that store goods are running out and prices have skyrocketed to levels town citizens cannot afford.

•  Health System Strain: Health professionals are raising concerns that Kiunga Hospital water tanks have emptied and are running low, raising fears of infection. They also raised concerns about when rice and flour will be available in shops.

For Bishop Durero, the fear is the prolonged situation of no rains. He believes this could present a different and more difficult picture in the future if rains do not come, and he asked for continued prayers for Western Province.