A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed this week between Fiji and Papua New Guinea through both countries’ Labour Ministries that will see Fiji provide assistance to its Melanesian neighbour.

Fiji’s Minister for Labour Jone Usamate said the signing extended Fiji’s assistance to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea on Occupational Safety and Health Reform.

His counterpart from Papua New Guinea Minister Mark Maikapai initiated this South-South cooperation between the 2 nations in 2011.

Description

The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) was established in May 2000 and provides direct grant assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable groups in developing member countries (DMCs) of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) while fostering long-term socioeconomic development. The grants target poverty reduction initiatives with the direct participation of nongovernment organizations, community groups, and civil society.

On World Malaria Day 2013, 25 April, we reflect on the progress Australia and our partners have made to combat malaria in our region whilst recognising the challenges that remain.

The Asia–Pacific has made impressive progress in the fight against malaria. Between 2000 and 2010 there was an estimated 25 per cent decrease in the number of malaria cases and an even bigger decrease in the number of deaths.

Food supplies are dwindling for more than 5000 villagers in Central Bougainville as a result of continuous heavy rain.

Food gardens in the coastal village of Rorovana have been washed away and an appeal has gone out for emergency government assistance.

Regional disaster coordinator, Franklin Lacui, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat a long term plan to help the villagers relocate has been put into action, but decisions are yet to be made on the immediate issue of food aid.

International Women’s Day - 8 March 2013: Statement by the Representatives of the European Union, France and Great Britain in Papua New Guinea

On 8 March 2013 we honor International Women’s Day, a day on which we acknowledge the important role that women play in society, and a day on which women need to be inspired and celebrated for their achievements. It is, unfortunately, also a day on which to recall that the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls is still far from being realised.

The United Nations (UN) system in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is gravely concerned by the torture and killing of Ms. Kepari Laniata, a 20-year-old young woman who was accused of using sorcery to kill a six-year old boy in Mount Hagen on 6 February 2013, and other cases of sorcery-related violence reported by the national media in recent days. The case of the late Ms. Laniata is unfortunately one of many and illustrates the need for urgent attention and action to address this serious human rights violation. Many such cases go unreported and grave injustice is done to the citizens of PNG.

The fight against tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province is making progress as a new TB ward, funded by AusAID, begins to take shape.

The new 22-bed TB ward at Daru General Hospital is part of a $31 million package of support Australia is providing to help the Government of PNG to improve health services in one of its poorest provinces.

There will be six isolation rooms to isolate patients in the infectious stage of TB so they do not pass the disease on to others, with a further 16 bed inpatient ward for TB patients in the convalescent stage.

02/04/2013 06:18 GMT

SYDNEY, Feb 4, 2013 (AFP) - A United Nations report Monday criticised Australia's immigration camp on Papua New Guinea, warning living conditions are harsh and asylum-seekers' detention arbitrary.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees called for no more children to be sent to the camp on remote Manus Island, which was established as part of Australia's plan to ship refugees offshore to deter more from coming.

Papua New Guinea's National Disaster Centre says it lacks both the staff and logistical capacity to respond quickly to natural disasters throughout the country.

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by flooding in PNG's Morobe, Oro and parts of the Highlands provinces.

Director Martin Mose told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program it cannot do rapid assessment and response as it lacks the capacity to help those people affected.

"We are well behind time now," he said.