The Mobile Belt consists of a series of arc terranes and continental fragments previously accreted to the Australian plate.

[9] The country's National Board for Disaster Management later confirmed that 12 buildings were damaged in the Boven Digoel Regency, including a mosque, a military post, and a district office.

[18] On the morning of 26 February, ExxonMobil announced that they would temporarily shut down the Hides gas field conditioning plant, situated about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the epicenter, in order to assess damage.

[19] Officials later confirmed that all of the staff were "safe and accounted for",[20] while the administration buildings, living quarters, and mess hall had all sustained damage.

[21] On 10 March, ExxonMobil officials announced that the Hides facility will not be operational for at least 8 weeks, a significant economic loss for the country.

[12] The government of Papua New Guinea dispatched disaster assessment teams to parts of the Southern Highlands and Hela provinces following the earthquake.

Members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force were also mobilised to assist with the delivery of supplies to affected people, as well as the restoration of services and infrastructure.

[29] Four days later the country pledged a further 1,000,000 US$ in support of vulnerable women and children in the earthquake-affected areas, as well as three CH-47 Chinook helicopters and additional Australian Defence Force personnel.

[30] The New Zealand government sent two Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes carrying hygiene kits, shelter supplies, water containers and tarpaulins.

[33][34][35] The Red Cross released $221,000 in funds and announced it would send first aid, water, mosquito nets and shelters to the stricken areas.

[28] ExxonMobil donated $1,000,000 to relief efforts, and allowed the government to use its experts, resources and helicopters in the recovery process,[36] while Santos Limited released a total of $1,200,000 to the Hela Provincial Hospital and aid agencies working in Papua New Guinea.