MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that a major humanitarian relief effort is to be
mounted in Bougainville using Australian aid money. Up to $4 million will be
used to buy and distribute essential goods and medical supplies to the people of
mainland Bougainville.
Most of the Bougainville population live on the main island, where much of
the conflict has occurred. For up to eight years these people have had no access
to medical help. Children have not been vaccinated. Preventable diseases and
malaria are rife. Clothing and other basics are in short supply and many people
are living in very difficult conditions.
The new program will use Australian aid money to significantly improve their
quality of life. It will deliver kits to meet basic material needs, including
medicine, clothing, cooking utensils, basic shelter materials, building and
gardening tools and seeds. The project aims to reach 30 000 families, comprising
the vast majority of the 120 000 people living on mainland Bougainville.
The program will be managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the PNG Red Cross (PNGRC). Medical personnel
will accompany the Red Cross officials during delivery of the kits, providing
urgent medical services, including immunisation for women and children.
Funding for this program comes from Australia's bilateral aid to PNG. The
IFRC Program has also been supported by other donors, including New Zealand,
following an international appeal.
Since 1991 Australia has been able to deliver only limited assistance to
mainland Bougainville. AusAID has provided around $1.4 million previously
through the IFRC and the PNGRC to deliver some essential goods, mainly to
displaced people in Care Centres.
Australia is also currently providing reconstruction aid worth around $16
million in the more secure northern part of Bougainville province for health,
transport and educational facilities.
I applaud all parties in Bougainville for agreeing to allow this humanitarian
effort to proceed, and hope it will play a part in helping bring about peace to
Bougainville.
PORT MORESBY
Media contact: Peter Collins (Mr
Downer's Office) 06 277 7500/0411 414 695
Andrea McLaughlin (AusAID) 06 206
4966