Papua New Guinea
In April 2009, the Providing Essentials team visited our project sites in Papua New Guinea. -->> view picture album The lack of clean drinking water often prevents girls from getting an education. Read about: -->> Helping young girls finish school … download pdf -->> Two teenage girls dream of being doctors … download pdf -->> A girl who badly wants to go to high school … download pdf On October 15, 2008, the hygiene education programme kicked off with local students participating in Global Handwashing Day. What’s next? Hygiene education for 15 schools, 15 health centres, and 9 village communities Construct water supply and sanitary systems in 15 rural health centres and aid posts Develop education materials for 30 schools, 30 health facilities and 20 communities Introduce sanitation marketing concept in one province Support the national hygiene curriculum for schools At a glance Population Rural population Life expectancy Adult illiteracy Of rural population only: 5.6 million 4.9 million 56 years 48% 32% have access to clean drinking water 41% have access to sanitary facilities Although a large part of Papua New Guinea is covered with tropical rain forests, there is a major shortage of clean drinking water in remote areas. There are no water supply systems and sanitary facilities because it is difficult to transport the right materials and expertise. Many children become ill and even die from drinking contaminated water. They also infect each other as a result of poor hygiene habits. Papua New Guinea is a mountainous country, east of Indonesia. In recent years it has endured: volcano eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis and drought. Poverty is widespread. The great majority of the population lives in remote villages, which are very difficult to reach. As a result, the health situation is poor. UNICEF is setting up health centres where children can be vaccinated and where mothers can receive information about health and hygiene. -->> Back to projects page