Working together to end poverty and injustice

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

Papua New Guinea and Bougainville

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

Building peace

• Promoting peace in the Highlands of PNG
  Oxfam is supporting the Kup Women for Peace in creating a peaceful society and promoting sustainable livelihoods in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
• Practical support promotes peace in rural communities
  Through practical support to improving cash incomes, Oxfam and its partner, CDA, are encouraging communities to strive for a peaceful future in areas that are traditionally beset by tribal conflicts and violence.

Gender justice and ending violence against women

• Ending violence against women
  Oxfam and the Kup Women for Peace are helping protect women's rights and put a stop to violence against women in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
• Women building peace
  A stronger role for women in the peace and justice system is a key step towards promoting peace and ending violence against women in the Highlands.

Improving livelihoods

• Think big, start small
  Tari women venturing into small-scale businesses are having a big impact on their communities.
• Fish ponds and meal
  We are providing people with food security, health benefits and an income.
• Practical support promotes peace in rural communities
  Through practical support to improving cash incomes, Oxfam and its partner, CDA, are encouraging communities to strive for a peaceful future in areas that are traditionally beset by tribal conflicts and violence.
• Tari leads the way to a peaceful, sustainable future

Safe water and sanitation

• Sanitation for schools in the Highlands of PNG
  Oxfam and our partner ATprojects are providing safe water, sanitation solutions and hygiene education to primary schools in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, including schools in some very remote areas.
• Providing safe water for all
  Oxfam and our local partner are providing safe water for people living with HIV and AIDS and their carers, bringing dramatic improvements in the overall health and well-being of people living with HIV and AIDS.
• Water in rural Bougainville
  Oxfam is training rural communities to build and maintain water supply systems and sanitation facilities, and providing health and hygiene education.
• How the Christchurch Pledge is helping Bougainville
  The city of Christchurch has made a massive commitment to Oxfam’s Water for Survival work by aiming to raise $60,000 for the Bougainville programme. This committment will help 15 rural villages in Bougainville access safe water.

Our partners

• Partner profiles
  Find out who Oxfam is working with in Papua New Guinea.

Country profile

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

Oxfam Unwrapped in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville

By buying a gift from Oxfam Unwrapped you can help support our work in Papua New Guinea. Take a look at Oxfam Unwrapped's gifts with a difference in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville and help lift people out of poverty, for good.