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24 July 2024
UN Condemns Violent Atrocities in East Sepik, Urges Justice for Victims - July 2024
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Story
05 July 2024
E-Waste Management Stakeholder Workshops Held to Advance Sustainable Waste Management in Papua New Guinea
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Video
28 June 2024
UN Resident Coordinator Meets Survivors of Enga Landslide
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The Sustainable Development Goals in Papua New Guinea
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Papua New Guinea:
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02 March 2022
Empowering communities to improve livelihood and promote peace
Hoiebia Village acts as a sanctuary for communities affected by conflict in the Hela Province. Councillor Maureen opened her home to her community and those displaced by conflict back in 2013 when she first became the councillor.
She first started backyard farming because she observed that the community planted only sweet potato and were not exposed to growing other garden foods such as potato, carrots, cabbage and broccoli.
“I lived for 30 years in Mt Hagen, and I saw they planted a lot of variety of vegetables. I wanted to do something similar in my village, so I came back, and mobilized mothers and youths and we started our backyard farming. This was in 2013. We started changing the practice of planting sweet potato mounts to creating plots for different vegetables,” she said.
Her backyard plots have now become a multiplication site and she is supplying seeds, providing training in farming, sewing and horticulture to both the host and displaced communities in Hoiebia. Her ambition is to supply the whole of Hela Province with seeds from her multiplication site and ultimately improving farming practices.
Councillor Maureen said that they initially lacked the skills and knowledge, but persevered. The perseverance paid off when their first partner, the Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) stepped in to assist with basic agriculture training.
Fast forward to 2022, other partners have come on board to assist the community. The United Nations in Papua New Guinea, through its agencies FAO, IOM, and UN Women are supporting Councillor Maureen to help her community.
“I saw that a lot of mothers, their husbands had left them, and they struggled with their children to put food on the table and pay school fees. I’m also a single parent who struggled to put my six children through school. This has motivated us, and we are all working towards a better livelihood for us and our children,” she said.
Councillor Maureen said the UN have given her community a lot of training.
“IOM provided us with a water catchment, FAO trained us on how to plant sweet potato, potato, wheat and rice, UN Women provided baking training and GBV training, Peace training. The National Agriculture Research Institute have also provided farming and animal husbandry. When these trainings came, I noticed that there is change in the community,” she said.
“When we empower women and youth in the community with life skills, there will be peace.” Councillor Maureen aims to build a training center for her community. In 2021, with consent from her community, she invested a ward development grant of K15,000 to co-finance the establishment of a UN-supported community resilience resource centre. This centre will also be equipped with water catchment and storage capacity with the community in Hoiebia having free access to clean water.
On the change she would like to see in four to five years, Councillor Maureen declared, “I would like to see farming practices in Hela change, women and children to be healthy and to have good clothes. Children to go to school.”
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![Councillor Maureen Mokai of Hoiebia Village in Tari-Pori District](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_content/public/2022-03/018A7717.jpg?itok=6ahXg7cf)
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20 March 2022
Provincial GBV Focal Points Leading Community-level Implementation of National GBV Strategy
“Everyone in the Highlands region, they grew up in that kind of environment. I say it's in the DNA.” continues Robin Yakumb.
Robin is the interim GBV Focal Point for Western Highlands Province, one of several individuals around the country appointed to connect families and individuals to government services and legal protections that assist women and children experiencing violence.
In Jiwaka, GBV Focal Point Mary Tol highlighted that local resource constraints have led to perpetrators being set free. “Sometimes the murderers of women and girls are being set free because the police say that there's insufficient evidence to bring them to court.”
These perpetrators are then free to reoffend, leaving women and children vulnerable and communities hesitant to report violence.
On paper, the right of women and children to live free from violence is assured in Papua New Guinea, with protections outlined in the Family Protection Act and Lukautim Pikinini Act, in addition to the Criminal Code. In practice, however, the country has one of highest rates of violence against women and girls in the region.
A persistent challenge for policy-makers and advocates working to end violence against women and girls in Papua New Guinea is ensuring that protections and services established at the national level are available at the village level; that individuals are reporting cases of violence to police, that police have the resources to respond and the appropriate documentation to present to the court, and that village court magistrates apply the law appropriately and do not permit negotiations for compensation.
The National GBV Strategy was launched in 2016 and is a blue print to guide the work of all agencies across the national government, as well as provincial government bodies, civil society organisations and development partners. The National GBV Strategy is underpinned by the understanding that addressing GBV will require strong leadership, a holistic and coordinated approach supported by ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and research.
Responsible for implementing this strategy is the National GBV Secretariat (NGBVS) which, through lack of funding, has faced significant roadblocks. The NGBVS has an interim Director and is not fully staffed.
The Spotlight Initiative, launched in 2020, aims to address the challenges in putting the National GBV Strategy into practice, and key to this is operationalising the National GBV Secretariat.
In Eastern Highlands Province (EHP), Siviri Lalave has been appointed as the provincial GBV Focal Point. She was also a member of the province’s Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee.
“That committee has been like a meeting on ad hoc basis up until 2021 when National Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence was set up,” said Siviri. “That's the time that the provincial government has seen the importance of having those committees in the provinces set up in addressing this issue.”
“When the government supports, we will see that it will help deliver the services that the people need and women and children, and those who are affected by gender-based violence, get the justice that they need.”
Provincial GBV Focal Points are now developing strategies and plans to address local gaps in institutional capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women and children.
“I'd like to see bringing in all the districts together to come up with their own district strategies,” said Robin. “We need these plans as to how we can address these issues at the district level or the community level.”
“I want funding to be very consistent over five years to ten years,” says Mary. “We don't need a strategy that sits at the corner and collects dust.”
The Spotlight Initiative has supported the appointment of provincial GBV focal points as part of activities to operationalise the National GBV Strategy. Support has also included the development of a National GBV Secretariat website to keep provincial contacts and the general public updated on activities and materials.
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![In Jiwaka, GBV Focal Point Mary Tol](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_content/public/2022-03/RD_Photo3_2.jpg?itok=ZoB2Dasr)
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18 March 2022
Milne Bay Provincial Disaster Risk Management Strategy and Standard Operating Procedure Launched Through IOM, USAID Support
The Provincial DRM Strategy and SOP for Milne Bay received technical inputs from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and funding assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance in its development.
This DRM Strategy and SOP is a living document that promotes the localization of the Sendai Framework (2015-2030) principles, contributing to strengthening resilience and reducing disaster losses. It defines the roles and responsibilities of the provincial government and its stakeholders in preparing for, and responding to disasters, including implementing recovery actions following a disaster.
“It is great news for Milne Bay to have its Provincial DRM strategy and SOP to better coordinate disaster risk reduction interventions and emergency response,” said Milne Bay’s Provincial Administrator, Ashan Numa in his remarks at the launch. He highlighted that there had been lack of coordination in DRM matters in the past and launching the DRM Strategy and SOP will improve coordination in in the province.
“The DRM SOP is a guide to help us better respond to emergencies and disaster with the support of our partners, and also provides a leverage to the Milne Bay Integrated Provincial Development Plan,” noted Steven Tobessa, Milne Bay Provincial Disaster Coordinator.
The launch was attended by various stakeholders including Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, National Airports Corporation, and the National Broadcasting Corporation.
IOM in partnership with the National Disaster Center, continues to support provincial governments to strengthen capacities in DRM, through the Provincial Disaster Centres.
IOM recognizes inadequate funding and insufficient human capacity as a challenge during the implementation, and it remains committed and pro-active to supporting the province in risk management and disaster response.
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20 March 2022
Community Outreach Combats Violence Against Children in Western Highlands Province
Many children in Western Highlands province face multiple forms of violence. In addition to family violence, children are directly and indirectly affected by sorcery accusation related violence.
“When the parents are accused of sorcery, those children are affected very badly because they believe these things they’re told about their parents,” explained Issac Keru from the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen child protection team. “There’s almost no hope for children when their parents are accused.”
Issac also noted the rise in kidnapping and ransom of children in the province. “They get these kids and then later they expect some payment and then the kids will be returned,” he said.
The Archdiocese utilises networks of parishes and schools to raise awareness of violence against children and provides a safe house that provides temporary accommodation to children in need. Issac shared that prevention remains the most important part of the team’s work.
“We have child protection officers and a total of 27 parishes within Western Highlands and Jiwaka where we can offer parenting programs and family programs,” said Issac. “I see the parenting program is important because we have to address childhood development early. When they reach middle age we can’t really do anything because they are grown up and it is difficult for them to change.”
The programs include workshops and community outreach and Issac has noted that demand is high. “From interviews we’ve done with parents, they say that they regret this program didn’t come about earlier.” This same sentiment has been shared by facilitators from the Highlands Youth Rehabilitation and Training College in Banz, Jiwaka Province, which is also implementing a positive parenting program that engages parents in Jiwaka and Simbu.
“Through the Spotlight Initiative the parenting program has reached many parish communities and we’ve seen they go back to their communities and villages and make changes,” said Issac. “I think with the support of Spotlight Initiative, we can reach many more.”
Through the parenting program, the Archdiocese is also promoting other services and programs that seek to address the issue of violence, including counselling and family violence programs.
The Archdiocese of Mt Hagen is supported by the Spotlight Initiative to provide community outreach programs to end violence against children.
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![Issac Keru from the Archdiocese of Mt Hagen child protection team.](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_content/public/2022-03/Community%20Outreach%20Combats%20Violence%20against%20Children.png?itok=HbJAACsw)
Story
09 April 2021
UN Agencies Continue Support to COVID Prevention and Control Across PNG
UN support to the COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea has been led by WHO and UNICEF, who are assisting the PNG Government in emergency and humanitarian coordination, clinical management and procurement, risk communications and community engagement, protection and secondary impacts, and socio-economic impact and recovery.
In 2021 we will be welcoming the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines and work with our partners to set a path for recovery, including socio-economic assessments and support to the hardest hit populations.
The weekly COVID-19 National situation report, jointly published by NDOH and WHO, details the scope of the pandemic in PNG and the national response effort. More information on UN assistance provided in 2020 is available at papuanewguinea.un.org.
Here is a look at what we've been doing around the country in March.
Kiunga, Western Province
IOM Installs Handwash Stations at Kiunga Airport, Improves Toilet Facilities in Western Province
IOM completed a comprehensive rehabilitation of the toilet facilities at Kiunga Airport, creating a safer environment for travelers. The team installed a handwash station on entry.
The team installed latrines in several locations including schools, health facilities and local communities, benefitting at least 8,949 people. Installations of solar panels and accessories across several communities has improved lighting of common areas around latrines. This additional light improves the safety especially of women and girls when accessing the facilities at night. IOM estimates this initiative will improve the safety of over 30,000 people in Western Province.
UNFPA Delivers PPE to Kiunga Hospital, Customised Dignity Kits
With the given surge of covid 19 cases, UNFPA supplied various essential PPE to Kiunga Hospital, Western Province and Port Moresby General Hospital. These include 500 reusable face shields, 500 long sleeve gowns, 15,000 examination gloves, 2000 surgical gloves, 30,000 disposal facemask, 300 protective goggles and 44 thermometers. UNFPA locally procured 600 customised Dignity Kits enroute to Kiunga, Western Province.
IOM Provides WASH Supplies to Communities and Defence Personnel in Western Province
IOM distributed soap and water containers to 1,203 people in Western Province, with additional wheelie bins (25), dust bins (14), hand gloves (24) and rubber boots (24). The team supplied collapsible water containers, tents and sleeping bags to the PNG Defence Force Forward Operating Base in Kiunga that is responsible for monitoring points of entry along PNG’s Western Border.
Tari, Hela Province
UNFPA Supports Emergency Response, Provides PPE and Dignity Kits
UNFPA procured and distributed 400 Dignity Kits to displaced women and girls that were affected by the inter-clan violence in Tari Pori District. UNFPA procured 800 PPE to support the participants of a Gender Based Violence in Emergency training and staff at Tari Hospital.
Through the emergency response projects, UNFPA, in partnership with PNG Family Health Association and Hela Provincial Health Authority, established sexual and reproductive health mobile clinics at four sites in Tari, Hela Province to support and provide services to internally displaced women and girls as well as the host community who cannot access the main hospital freely due to ongoing insecurity. Currently the team is conducting training on Minimum Initial Service Package in Tari to 9 males and 8 females with plans to conduct Clinical Management of Rape Training in April. Providing PPE ensures these essential services can remain open and operate safely.
“On a daily basis, we check if the IDP [Internally Displaced People] have any sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), rape cases, pregnant mothers or injuries," sais Sister Mae Lohis, team leader of one of PNG Family Health Association's mobile clinics in Tari. "We are providing the necessary care that they should receive during this time of crisis, including awareness raising on safe sex, family planning, and teenage pregnancies.”
Support to People Living with HIV
UNAIDS works with COVID19-HIV Crisis Group on Support to PLHIV
Together with the COVID19-HIV Crisis Group, including WHO, NDoH, World Vision, USAID, and FHI360, UNAIDS is ensuring services for PLHIV continue to operate during the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The team is also working on messaging surrounding the vaccine for PLHIV and key populations.
With high level of COVID 19 vaccine hesitancy and misconceptions among PLHIV and key populations, UNAIDS have developed a short vaccine acceptability survey deployed by the KP consortium in late March. From the results, the current FAQs will be revised and targeted for this population.
Support to Emergency Services
UNDP Procures Additional Ambulances, Delivers Training to Frontline Medics
UNDP is partnering with the national ambulance service, St John’s Ambulance, to upgrade of a number of ambulances across the country with support from the Government of India. Progress the procurement of new ambulances which will be greatly strengthen the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s health system to respond to COVID’s impacts. A funding agreement with
UNDP has also supported training of frontline medics and the procurement of additional medical equipment to support an expansion of services. This will also contribute to broader strengthening of the health system.
UN agencies have secured funding from Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, United States and the World Bank. Additional support was provided through the UN Secretary General’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund for COVID-19 which ensures UN activities can reach the most at-risk populations during this pandemic. The UN is also engaging with donors to re-programme funding where relevant.
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Story
05 July 2024
E-Waste Management Stakeholder Workshops Held to Advance Sustainable Waste Management in Papua New Guinea
Gathering over 50 participants from the Papua New Guinea government, development partners, and industry representatives to discuss responsible e-waste management in the country.The workshops are part of UNOPS support for the Government of Papua New Guinea’s efforts to develop sustainable solutions for electronic waste management in the main urban centers. Funded by the Australian Government, UNOPS engaged the National Engineering Services of Pakistan (NESPAK) to conduct an e-waste management feasibility study last year in Port Moresby, Lae, and Mount Hagen, three of PNG’s largest cities. The workshops provided a collaborative platform for participants to contribute insights and address concerns to refine the key findings from the feasibility study.Ms. Joeena Simpson, UNOPS Country Manager for Papua New Guinea, delivered the opening remarks. She provided a background on UNOPS function and its recent establishment in PNG, then gave an overview of the e-waste project and its conception in consultation with the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. Ms. Simpson emphasized the importance of sustainable e-waste management, highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by e-waste, and encouraged active participation in the workshop discussions. “UNOPS is proud to partner with the Australian Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea to support a responsible and managed approach to a cleaner and greener future for the people of Papua New Guinea. Focusing on environmental protection, community health and economic opportunities enabled through e-waste management, we aim to reduce serious contaminants in waterways and on land. This initiative represents an opportunity for the government, community and industry to work together to make a difference. We are delighted by the strong support shown today and look forward to continuing this journey with our partners.”Mr. Sione Paasia, Chief of Staff from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the significance of this initiative for Papua New Guinea's sustainable development. The workshops featured NESPAK’s presentation on the key findings of their feasibility studies in the three urban centers followed by group discussions on the impact of e-waste, and what the challenges and key priority areas are for PNG in achieving e-waste management by 2030 both at the national and local levels. In 2022, 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide, according to the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor (GEM). Less than a quarter of this global waste was properly collected and recycled, leaving USD 62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for and increasing pollution risks to communities worldwide. Hazardous chemicals used in informal e-waste recycling, such as aqua regia, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid, are often mishandled and improperly disposed of, leading to soil and water contamination.During the workshops, participants emphasized the imperative need to establish a robust solid waste management system and in turn, an e-waste management system for Papua New Guinea's environmental and sustainable development, recognizing e-waste as a hazardous waste stream. Discussions also focused on leveraging the economic opportunities presented by proper e-waste management through a circular economy approach and the resulting job creation opportunities. In partnership with the Australian Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea, UNOPS will finalize the feasibility study incorporating the stakeholder feedback received during the workshops. The collaborative and meaningful conversations will inform the next steps towards paving the way for sustainable e-waste practices in Papua New Guinea.Media Contact: Zekun Shi, Communications Officer, UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific, zekuns@unops.org
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31 August 2023
Social and Environmental Standards Validation Workshop in Kokopo, East New Britain Province
The Workshop is currently underway for the GEF7 FOLUR Project in Kokopo, East New Britain (ENB) Province from the 28th of August to the 02nd of September 2023.
Between March and April this year, project data collectors which consisted of UNDP and provincial Administration staff travelled to Inland Baining and in Central Pomio LLGs visiting communities and introducing them to the GEF7 FOLUR Project through a stakeholder engagement process.
During these visits, valuable social and environmental information were collected and developed into a Social and Environmental Management Plan, an Indigenous People’s Plan and a Gender Action Plan.
These are important documents that UNDP and its Implementation Partner, CEPA, will utilize to ensure the natural environment and the rights of the communities are protected appropriately during project implementation.
The purpose of the workshop this week is to validate the information collected and allow community representatives and government officials to provide critical feedbacks that will guide the GEF7 FOLUR Project moving forward.
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27 April 2023
Invest in Girls in ICT
The United Nations believes women and girls who are given career opportunities in the digital information, communications and technology industry (ICT) can make significant contributions to the workplace.
ICT is revolutionizing the human experience and transforming lives around the world, yet many women in developing countries often find themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide simply because of their gender.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, Richard Howard, said it is time for employers to close the digital divide which too often is propped up by gender inequality.
“Businesses that recruit women and give them the skills to use IT programs and data storage technologies, will be tapping into a whole new productive resource.” Mr. Howard said.
Mr. Howard said he understood that many women and girls in rural provinces do not have access to computers or the internet and that access to such technology can serve as a basis for challenging gender norms which tend to hold women and girls back.
International Girls Day is a great opportunity to challenge us to find ways to leverage technology to improve the lives of women and girls at every stage of the life course.
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10 November 2022
Communities Affected by Conflict Pledge to Promote Peace
Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to work with local authorities in Southern Highlands and Hela provinces to empower women and youth, establish the resilience of local communities at risk of displacement from human-induced and natural hazards and sustain peace in the areas.
With the financial support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, IOM is empowering local communities, including women and youth from Mapata, Pira (Southern Highlands), Tenggo, Idawi, and Papeli (Hela), to nurture and implement community peace and development plans (CPDPs). As part of its interventions, IOM enhanced the peacebuilding knowledge and skills of 44 women, men, and youth from the target communities. Local authorities in Southern Highlands province were also equipped with the knowledge to sustain peace and promote community-driven development through training on inclusive peacebuilding and development planning.
Held in Mt. Hagen town, the training brought together community members from Mapata and Pira, as well as officials from Kagua-Erave district and Aiya local level government in Southern Highlands province.
The training covered various topics, including the root causes and negative consequences of conflict, the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding and sustainable development, and risk reduction measures that could help contribute to building community resilience.
“We need more of this kind of training for our community members. The knowledge we received through this training will help reduce violence in the communities,” said pastor Francis Benny, CPDP training participant. Pastor Benny noted that more people, especially youth, should be targeted with the training that helps promote peace.
Participants upskilled by IOM on peacebuilding and development will co-facilitate the 5-day community planning sessions with IOM and jointly draft the CPDPs. Also, they are expected to provide the capacity building training for members of their communities, including women and youth, on peacebuilding and development planning with knowledge they acquired from the training.
Two conflicted groups, including their leaders, known as ‘warlords,’ also participated in the training, agreeing to peacefully resolve their differences and work collectively towards the improvement of their community to sustain peace.
“We have been fighting, and we all know that this is not good. From now onwards, let us go back and work together. Caring for one another is what our culture promotes,” said Mary Wapi, a local community member.
“We do not want to fight anymore. You will remember that we committed ourselves to reconciliation at the time IOM visited our community,” noted a community leader and CPDP training participant, Robert Tawe. “We will work together and develop our plan. This is our commitment to promoting peace.”
Implemented under the “Preventing Climate-Induced Conflicts Through Empowered Women Leadership” project, the interventions by IOM include delivering training for inclusive community facilitation teams, co-facilitating with trained community members community-level planning sessions to draft the CPDPs, and implementing the drafted plans.
The Preventing Climate-Induced Conflicts Through Empowered Women Leadership project is part of the United Nations Highlands Joint Programme.
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SDGs: 5, 10, 16
For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
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Story
03 November 2022
Displaced Families Welcome Food Aid from IOM and USAID
Port Moresby – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to assess and assist communities displaced as a result of election-related violence in the Highlands region.
As part of the response, IOM delivered emergency shelter kits and non-food items to 615 households (3,921 people) in Mendi-Munhiu and Nipa districts in Southern Highlands province. IOM has also started distributing food rations to address the food insecurity situation facing the displaced communities.
With financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), IOM has distributed food rations to 250 households (1,350 people) that were displaced from Tupiri and Old Compound communities, to neighbouring villages in Mendi town. IOM is targeting an additional 750 displaced households (approximately 3,975 people) with the food rations.
The displacement tracking assessment conducted by IOM, local authorities, and partners identified 1,977 persons that were displaced from Old Compound and Tupiri communities by the conflict that happened in Mendi town in August 2022 and are yet to return to their homes.
IOM worked closely with the leadership from the displacement-affected communities and Southern Highlands Provincial Administration to identify the most vulnerable population such as persons living with disabilities, old persons, and women heads of household, to target with food aid.
“This assistance is a huge relief to us. We needed help, especially the mothers and children because they are affected the most by the fighting,” said Luke Welin, a community member from Old Compound.
The distribution of food rations by IOM took place in Mendi town, and the food rations kit comprises of rice, cooking oil, tinned fish, sugar, and iodized salt that would last for up to two months.
In total, IOM distributed 30.5 tonnes of rice, 1,875 litres of cooking oil, 4.6 tonnes of tinned fish, 1.125 tonnes of sugar, and 0.375 tonnes of iodized salt.
With support from UNICEF and working in partnership with the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, IOM will supply the target communities with nutrient supplements for children.
“Our properties and backyard food gardens were destroyed during the conflict, leaving many families with little, or no resources to fend for themselves,” said Joanne Epi, a church leader and women’s representative in Old Compound community. “You gave us cooking utensils and emergency shelter materials and have come back to give us food. Thank you, IOM and USAID,” added Joanne.
Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund and USAID/BHA, IOM continues to work in partnership with local authorities to assess communities displaced by election related violence, including providing relief assistance in the form of shelter kits, food rations, and non-food items.
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For further information, please contact IOM Port Moresby, Getachew Mekuria, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: gmekuria@iom.int or Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: pmurorera@iom.int
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Press Release
24 July 2024
UN Condemns Violent Atrocities in East Sepik, Urges Justice for Victims - July 2024
At least 26 people were reportedly slaughtered in an outburst of violence following an alleged land dispute in the Sepik River villages of Tamara, Tambari, and Agrumara.Expressing deep shock and grief, United Nations Resident Coordinator Mr. Richard Howard said the latest atrocities were “a profound violation of human rights and dignity.” “This heinous crime is an affront to our shared humanity,” Mr. Richard Howard said. “The brutalisation of innocent villagers, especially the sexual violence against women and girls, is utterly unacceptable,” he said. The highest UN representative in the country said it was imperative that the perpetrators were held accountable, and justice was served for the victims and their families.The UNICEF Papua New Guinea Representative Angela Kearney said the drama was indicative of a disturbing trend of tribal violence aimed at the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.“What happened in East Sepik strikes at the heart of what we stand against—blatant disregard for life and dignity, particularly of the most defenceless among us,” Kearney said. The United Nations’ first priority is to ensure that survivors are protected from further harm and to provide comprehensive psychosocial support to mitigate the risk of lasting mental trauma.Resident Coordinator Mr. Richard Howard said the United Nations stands in solidarity with the affected communities and reinforced his call for swift action from law enforcement agencies to investigate, identify and charge the perpetrators.“We look forward to working with the Government of Papua New Guinea and other partners to ensure that the survivors receive the necessary support, such atrocities do not go unpunished, and underlying conditions in the affected communities are addressed so that these atrocities are prevented in the future,” said Mr. Richard Howard.ENDMr Richard Howard, UN Resident Coordinator (richard.howard@un.org; +675 7969 8118)
Ms Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative (akearney@unicef.org; +675 7100 0370)
Ms Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative (akearney@unicef.org; +675 7100 0370)
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Press Release
10 June 2024
UN Pledges Continued Support for Safe Relocation and Well-being of Displaced Persons - June 2024
The 24 May landslide disaster has affected approximately 7,900 individuals from 1,427 households, with 1,650 individuals from 315 households displaced.The Enga Provincial Administration, led by Provincial Administrator Mr. Sandis Tsaka, has established a centralized Operations Centre in Wabag, with an onsite operations arm near the disaster site to effectively coordinate relief efforts.The United Nations will continue to support the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Enga Provincial authorities in ensuring the safety and well-being of internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout all phases of displacement, including relocation where return-to-areas-of-origin is not feasible.The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea, Mr Richard Howard, said “The UN believes that a well-coordinated and facilitated relocation will enable a people-centered, inclusive, and participatory process. This approach will recognize and protect the traditional knowledge of affected communities, ensuring all affected populations and host communities can improve or maintain their living standards and opportunities while mitigating the adverse impacts of relocation." END
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Press Release
28 May 2024
United Nations and Partners Mobilized for Enga Province Landslide Response in Papua New Guinea - May 2024
Six bodies have been retrieved so far and the number is expected to increase as retrieval efforts continue amidst challenges due to unstable landslide conditions. The total affected population, including those in need of possible evacuation and relocation, is estimated at 7,849 individuals (1,427 households), based on the 2022 common roll. Forty two (42) per cent of this population are under 16 years. A total of 150 structures are estimated to have been buried. While the security situation in the province (between Wabag and the landslide location) is affected by tribal fighting, it does not directly threaten aid delivery currently, and the security situation is under control by the PNG Defense Force convoys. In addition, a bridge collapsed this morning in the Western Highlands Province and this has cut off the main Highlands highways just before reaching Enga, which has complicated the situation and disrupted communication between Enga and the rest of the Highlands. The alternative road to Enga is through the Southern Highlands highway which takes two-three more hours. The PNG Defense Force is looking into engineering solutions to fix the bridge as soon as possible.The National Disaster Centre has made an official request for international assistance through a letter to the UN Resident Coordinator and has requested all partners to collaborate and coordinate assistance through the National Disaster Centre, Enga Provincial Disaster Centre and the Disaster Management Team* Secretariat. Immediate needs include clean water, food, clothing, shelter items, kitchen utensils, medicine and hygiene kits and psychosocial support. In addition, Provincial authorities have requested the international community for immediate deployment of geotechnical engineers to carry out a geohazard assessment. Since the onset of this disaster, the United Nations has been supporting and continues to support the Government authorities in the search and retrieval operations, establishment of emergency centres and initial/immediate needs assessments. IOM and UNDP staff, including the UN Humanitatiran Coordination Advisor are on the ground. Furthermore, the United Nations is coordinating the response efforts of all partners, both at the national (with the National Disaster Centre) and Provincial (Enga Provincial Disaster Management Tem) levels. Furthermore, the United Nations is actively supporting the Government in addressing the immediate needs. The UN agencies (IOM, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women), in coordination with the local emergency response team, will provide relief supplies, including dignity kits, emergency health kits, tents and psychosocial support. So far, a total of 50 dignity kits have been distributed by UNICEF. *** For queries, contact Ms Kesang Phuntsho, Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Port Moresby, kesang.phuntsho@un.org*The PNG Disaster Management Team is co-led by the National Disaster Centre and the United Nations. Co-chairs are Mr Lusete Laso Mana, Acting Director, NDC and Mr Richard Howard, UN Resident Coordinator in PNG.
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Press Release
26 May 2024
The United Nations Ongoing Assistance in Response to Landslide Disaster in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea - May 2024
Papua New Guinea’s Defence Force is leading search and rescue efforts. The site’s remoteness, ongoing terrain movement and damage to access roads is slowing relief efforts. Government authorities remain focused on clearing debris and improving access to the site. While the exact number of victims is still not known, affected communities estimate that at least 670 people are missing following the landslide, this number is subject to change as rescue efforts are ongoing and expected to continue for days. The UN continues to work with local authorities to verify preliminary estimates of injured, missing and dead. The UN continues to assist Government authorities with the coordination of response efforts. Necessary relief supplies including emergency shelter, food and water are being prepared for transport and distribution. This follows a limited, preliminary distribution of such items over the last 24 hours.The UN has assisted with establishing evacuation centres which are offering assistance to those affected by the event. These centres are being managed by local authorities with the assistance of Papua New Guinea’s Defence Force. End//For queries, contact Ms Kesang Phuntsho, Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Port Moresby. kesang.phuntsho@un.org
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Press Release
25 May 2024
The United Nations in Papua New Guinea Media Release on the Recent Landslide in Enga Province - May 2024
The landslide occurred in a remote part of Papua New Guinea at 03:00 on Friday 24 May. Access roads to the affected site have been damaged, as has communications infrastructure. While the total number of casualties is yet to be determined, preliminary reporting indicates the death toll may be significant. Search and rescue efforts are underway, although continuous landslides and falling boulders are affecting these efforts. The Emergency Response Coordination Team, comprising of the Enga Provincial Disaster Coordination Office, the Department of Health, Department of Provincial Works, police, Defence Force, and the United Nations are coordinating and leading relief efforts. An initial rapid impact assessment conducted by the Emergency Response Coordination Team has identified immediate need for food, shelter and medical supplies, among others. The United Nations is monitoring the situation very closely, in collaboration with national and provincial government authorities, including other partners to determine the extent of damage, casualties and possible assistance that may be required for those impacted.EndFor queries, contact Ms Kesang Phuntsho, Head of Office, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Port Moresby. kesang.phuntsho@un.org
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