Through the Papua New Guinea-Australia Partnership, Australia will support WaterAid PNG and the Motu Koita Assembly to undertake an intensive hygiene and handwashing awareness campaign, as part of COVID-19 preparedness and prevention efforts across Papua New Guinea. Practical measures promoted through the campaign will also assist in preventing other common illnesses that communities currently face.
The six-month program will target communities that are part of the Motu Koita Assembly, and that have limited access to handwashing stations.
WaterAid PNG Country Director Rachel Payne says the program will focus on raising awareness of the importance of handwashing stations, preventing the spread of COVID-19 and promoting good hygiene practices.
Ms Payne said “Washing your hands with soap plays an important role in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. However in many of these communities, the availability of handwashing stations is low, making them vulnerable to the spread of the virus.”
She added that WaterAID will also help communities to set up their own handwashing stations at low cost, using locally available materials, so they can protect themselves and each other.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100