Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Australia and New Zealand step up to support Bougainville’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Australia, New Zealand and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) are working together to help protect Bougainville from COVID-19 by providing critical communications support. 

While there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bougainville, this support is helping the ABG prepare for a potential outbreak of the virus.

In partnership with the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Department of Health and Bureau of Media and Communications, Australia and New Zealand will provide over PGK400,000 in technical assistance and support to distribute information to local communities on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Accurate and timely communication is essential to keep communities healthy and safe by stopping the spread of the virus. The support from Australia and New Zealand will ensure information on how to avoid the spread of the virus, such as handwashing and social distancing is distributed through a range of channels, including local radio through Radio Ples Lein which broadcasts messages directly into communities, and print media, text messages and materials delivered through community networks, such as churches and community government.

Key health infrastructure in Bougainville will be upgraded.  This includes a joint project by the Australian and New Zealand governments to upgrade the Suhin Health Centre Facility on Buka Island (over PGK450,000) to be used as an isolation ward to treat patients and help prevent the spread of the virus.  This builds on the four community health posts funded by Australia and the Asian Development Bank in 2019, which the ABG Department of Health will also utilise to treat patients and contain the spread of the virus.

The Australian Government’s PGK47 million package of support and the support provided by the New Zealand Government to Papua New Guinea’s response to COVID-19 will help better inform all Papua New Guineans on how to keep their families and communities healthy and safe, and ensure the PNG and Autonomous Bougainville governments are better positioned to respond to any health crisis.

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100