Working together to end poverty and injustice

Papua New Guinea and Bougainville

Oxfam and its local partners are helping to build sustainable livelihoods in Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea's vast land area makes it the largest Pacific Island country. It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with more than 700 indigenous languages.

Over 80 percent of people live in rural areas and depend on subsistence agriculture. Infrastructure is poor and much of the rural population has little or no access to basic facilities.

Bougainville and the adjacent island of Buka have been devastated by the violent civil war that took place between local groups and the government of Papua New Guinea between 1989 and 1998.

Oxfam New Zealand in Papua New Guinea

Peace-building and conflict prevention

• Working to end violence in the PNG Highlands
  Supporting the Kup Women for Peace in creating a peaceful society, preventing violence against women and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the PNG Highlands.
  • Racing for peace: engaging young people and the community in the Kup versus the World race, inspired by Trailwalker New Zealand.
• Building peace in Bougainville
  Past enemies are working together in Central Bougainville to mend relationships and build a peaceful future.
• Video: Eileen Kolma talks about peace-building
  In February 2008, Oxfam hosted the Women Building Peace breakfast featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Jody Williams and Oxfam's country representative for Papua New Guinea, Eileen Kolma.

Water and sanitation

• Water brings new possibilities in Bougainville
• Providing safe water for people living with HIV and AIDS and their carers
• Rural water supply to support peace building in the Highlands
• Sanitation and hygiene education in schools and communities in the Highlands

Livelihoods

• Tari leads the way to a peaceful, sustainable future

• Video: Adapting to climate change
  Developing countries are already feeling the effects of climate change. In Papua New Guinea, unpredictable weather patterns mean that coffee, a major export, and food crops are no longer reliable. Oxfam is working to help people adapt to this changing climate and the increased chance of major disasters.

HIV and AIDS

• Hope for living
  Oxfam is using its experience gained in South Africa to help respond to the looming HIV and AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea.
• Providing safe water for people living with HIV and AIDS and their carers

More videos and photos

On the Aid Trail with Campbell Live

In October 2006, Oxfam took a TV crew up to the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea to join in celebrations of the country’s 31st year of independence and to show them the positive impact Oxfam and its partners have had in this remote corner of the world.

• Video: On the Aid Trail with Campbell Live and Oxfam New Zealand
• View the photo blog from Oxfam's visit to Tari in the PNG highlands

Country profile

• Papua New Guinea achieved independence in 1975, following 55 years of administration by Australia.
  Read more in the PNG country profile