Clean water

These structures have ushered in a new era of safe and clean water access for the local community and their school.

Prior to Australia's support, the 300 residents of Murr village endured the arduous daily task of trekking several kilometres inland to fetch water for their basic needs. This hardship has now become a thing of the past, thanks to the two complete water structures installed in the village.

These structures, comprising a total of eight tanks, include one in the main village and another dedicated to supplying water to the local school.

The rehabilitation included the setting up of three additional hand washing stations to promote personal health and hygiene among staff, students and visitors, helping to stop the spread of COVID-19, as well as other communicable diseases.

Western Province was amongst the first in Papua New Guinea to report a COVID-19 case and now has the third highest number of cases in the country.

IOM, UNFPA and UNICEF have been aiding North Fly District in Western Province with support from the UN Secretary General’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Working with a range of partners, Oil Search Foundation is supporting the Emergency Controller’s Office to install water tanks across the province, mainly in health centres and schools affected by the 2018 earthquake. Over 100 will be installed, providing clean water by the end of this month.

“This is absolutely vital work,” says Emergency Controller, Dr Bill Hamblin, who kicked off the initiative with the purchase of taps, pipes and tanks.