Strategies to make 2018 the year for TB action

by Lisa Cornish, devex.com
April 3, 2018

Jo Chandler introduces tuberculosis advocates at the World TB Day breakfast held at Parliament House, Canberra in Australia. Photo: RESULTS Australia

CANBERRA — September is crunch time for governments to commit to action in fighting tuberculosis — a preventable and curable disease killing millions annually. The United Nations will convene a high-level meeting on TB, with the theme of the meeting entitled “United to end tuberculosis: A global response to a global emergency.”
In the year of TB, advocates want more than a political commitment
To this day, the origins of one of the world's oldest disease — tuberculosis — is still being debated. But the more pertinent question is where is it going?
There, advocates will urge governments to shore up their commitments to end the TB epidemic by 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals, with confirmed attendees including the president of the General Assembly, the U.N. secretary-general, the director-general of the World Health Organisation, and the chair of the Stop TB Partnership.
In Canberra, Australia, on March 27, TB advocates supported by the Australian TB Caucus, RESULTS Australia, and TB Forum descended on Parliament House to bring the story of TB directly to politicians, calling on them to be leaders in the fight against a disease that is preventable and curable.
But how are they working to convince politicians? And can they make inroads in time for governments to make the big commitments needed just six months from now?

Putting a human face to TB

Dr. Joyce Sauk, a medical district officer from Papua New Guinea, and Ingrid Schoeman, an advocate for TB patients in South Africa, are both survivors of TB and spoke of their experiences at the parliamentary breakfast.
Sharing personal struggles is an important strategy in educating politicians and policy makers and encouraging them to do more in the fight against TB, they explained to Devex.
“People’s stories, honest and authentic stories, do stand up and get the attention of policy makers — as long as it is someone who is emotional,” Schoeman said.
Sauk agreed that it was an important strategy that was needed to achieve change by September.
“Our stories are very important to building change,” she said.
“It is our experiences with TB and how it’s affected our lives, changed our perceptions of the way we see things — these should be heard.
"We don’t want this happening to other people.
"Our stories can encourage investment into research and development in all aspects — medicine and diagnostic tools as well as taking care of the health care workers. "Where I am from, health care workers are not insured and there are issues around infection and control, availability of masks, so we are able to help patients.”
Both Sauk and Schoeman contracted TB while working in hospitals and delivering health care support, showing that anyone can be vulnerable.
And the direct threat to Australians travelling internationally was highlighted through the experiences of Australian journalist Jo Chandler, who spoke at the parliamentary breakfast of her experience as a TB survivor after contracting the disease while on assignment — as well as her luck in being treated in Australia and not a hospital within a health care system that was being pushed beyond its limits.

Aligning TB goals with domestic and international policy agendas

Aligning the conversation with government policies is also important, TB consultant Colleen Daniels explained to Devex.
“We have approaches for engaging high burden countries, another one for middle income or BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] countries — especially because there is so much potential for TB to be reduced globally if they invest more — and then for developed countries, where there is more opportunity for them to increase funding in terms of bilateral and multilateral support as well as research,” she said.
Within Australia, engaging the government on this involves looking at commitments made in the Foreign Policy White Paper.
Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, the minister for international development and the Pacific, explained how the TB campaigns best align with Australian aid priorities.
“Twelve of the world's 30 highest TB burden countries are located in our region, accounting for nearly half of all cases of drug resistant TB and TB deaths worldwide,” she said at the breakfast.
“In 2017, around 5 million Australians visited Southeast Asia and the Pacific Island countries, many of whom expecting to have an enjoyable holiday.
" Sadly, some contracted TB and consequently, the disease is brought back to Australia.”
“In Australia, the cost of treating a single patient with drug resistant TB can be up to 260,000 [Australian dollars, or $199,700].
"This means that Australia's health security is directly linked to the health security of our neighborhood.”
The establishment of the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security was also an important indicator of where Australia’s political priorities lied, Daniels said.
“So then you need to frame the argument about why they should care in that framework — that it is a health security issue.”
Highlighting the direct and long-term threats to Australia, both in terms of health and economics through treating a preventable disease, is an important strategy in targeting Australian politicians.
Sauk said it is crucial to highlight the impact directly to donor countries — such as in the case of PNG being only 4 kilometers from northern Australia.
“We’re close to Australia and we have a lot of Australians [who] are doing business in PNG also, so there should be interest by the Australian government in terms of investment,” she said.
“There is no question Australia has always been helping us, but there is more to do with the drug resistant TB emerging.
" It requires more political support and investment.
" And with Australians having a strategic role in our region, the prime minister should be able to attend this high-level meeting.”

Focusing on what countries do best

Focusing on the strengths each country can bring to preventing and eliminating TB is another strategy to better influence and direct government.
For Australia, research and innovation is expertise it can supply — and there is need for them to improve their contribution in this space.
“In global TB research and R&D, Australia is not lifting its weight,” Dr. Suman Majumdar, deputy program director of health security with the Burnet Institute, said. “There are a number of areas of research Australia is involved in, but one key advance has been the Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security.
"This center has AU$300 million over four years, which is largely targeted at research.
"That’s quite significant from a conservative government at this time, and there are opportunities to show results quickly and promptly so more can be allocated.”
According to Daniels, Australia has demonstrated important outcomes in this space in the past, with small amounts of investment in research and development — so pushing for greater investment and capability in this space to support TB could see huge gains in the global fight against the disease.

Bringing TB to the forefront of public discussion

A barrier that exists in creating inroads for political change and funding to support TB programs is the stigma and misconceptions surrounding TB.
“I have had people say to me ‘I didn’t know white people got TB,’” Schoeman said.
“I also have a lot of people ask how I got it.
"It makes you realize that people do not understand TB.”
“I had a politician ask how we can get rid of the mosquitoes,” Majumdar said.
“The stigma and discrimination even surround health care workers,” Sauk said.
 “I got TB when I was going through medical school and working in an overcrowded emergency department. We have had a lot of doctors and nurses come down with TB who won’t discuss it.
"But we’re not immune to TB — it is everywhere.
"And there is need to recognise that white can get it, black can get.
"There is no respect to where you are from when it comes to TB.”
Campaigns can make a different in building awareness.
 In 2016, a #Unmask TB social media campaign aimed to start discussion in South Africa.
And their health minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, continued this public advocacy to improve prevention and treatment of TB, including in engaging the public through YouTube videos.
But not all countries have the political will and support to get behind TB — and Daniels said both policies matched with funding are required to have a real impact.

Having clear goals and objectives

With confusion still surrounding TB among many politicians, advocates need to get specific on what governments need to do.
The TB Forum will be writing a high-level letter to Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, directly asking for him to attend the high-level meeting in September, with specifics on what they want him to deliver.
But the declarations that countries will be asked to support at the meeting also needs to be specific — and they are currently being circulated, with information being collected to find out what people on the ground say is needed.
“From the U.N. level, we know if we don’t have specific asks it’s just another blah, blah, blah — and we don’t want that,” Daniels said.
 “The drafts are getting specific on issues — we are talking about human rights for the first time.
" We know what to do in terms of service delivery, but it is the funding where we need more support.
“By June, we will have the declaration and will be taking this message of this specificity to encourage high-level participation and commitments in September.”
The concern for Daniels is that the high-level meeting in September is an opportunity that is unlikely to come around again — and if governments don’t get behind TB politically and financially, it will take more than 150 years to eliminate it from the world.

Australian comedian Matt Okine using his voice to help stop violence against women in Papua New Guinea

by TBS Likes.
thebigsmoke.com.au
April 3, 2018 

We sat down with comedian Matt Okine to discuss something close to his heart, the elimination of the horrific gender-based violence in PNG.

While many strings number Matt Okine’s bow, they all emanate a humourous timbre. Be it on the comedy circuit, television, radio, or wading through the pool of hip-hop, we’re familiar with the tone of his work.
 But seldom do we register the sound of his heart being plucked.
 Seldom do we get a glimpse of the Matt inside.
Prior to hosting the Melbourne Comedy Festival Gala, he travelled to Wewak in rural Papua New Guinea to support Oxfam’s programme of reversing the endemic problem of violence against women.
A deep-rooted, visceral problem, as two-thirds of Papuan women suffer at the hands of domestic violence, a figure which soars to a mind-reeling 90 per cent in rural areas.
 While the PNG government has vowed to combat the problem on a legislative level, the narrative walks by itself.
As it stands, waves of violence have washed over the highlands, with victims attacked on the suspicion of practicing witchcraft (known locally as sanguma), encompassing the spectrum of abuse, torture, unfortunately cresting all the way to murder.
In a 2015 report, the Human Rights Watch said “sorcery accusations all too often become a form of family violence, with abusive husbands … using sorcery accusations to silence and control women.”
Since then, the PNG government has allocated K10 million towards sorcery awareness programs, a fight for re-education that Okine and Oxfam have since joined.

Patrick Moran/OxfamAU

Speaking to The Big Smoke, Matt recalled what he saw in the Highlands: “Something that really impressed me on my trip to Wewak was seeing how much local people, and especially strong, local women, are leading Oxfam’s work in Papua New Guinea to tackle the problem of gender-based violence. Local people coming up with local solutions to local problems is how genuine change is made.”

Patrick Moran/OxfamAU

Sadly, the steps to this point have been caustic, and bitter to the senses.
In November 2017, a girl of six was hospitalised after members of her community tortured her with hot knives on the basis that she’d practice sanguma as her mother did, who herself was burned alive on the suspicion of witchcraft back in 2013.
While we’re sheltered from that reality by a vast ocean, Matt met the faces of the most affected.
 Reflecting on that shared company, he stated: “…some of the stories of gender-based violence were confronting and the issue is obviously very complex, but hearing the ways communities are addressing this and the generational changes that are taking place, particularly as more women take up leadership positions, is inspiring. I definitely felt a sense of hopefulness from the people I met.”
It’s a herculean task, but one Okine believes is truly worth the effort, and maximal exposure.
 Casting an eye toward a safer, better future for the Papuan Highlands, Matt articulated up the verdant landscape of tomorrow, stating: “…Oxfam and its partner organisations are working to address this issue from so many different angles, which I think is why progress is being made. They’re working on the ground in communities to offer people counselling, mediation, safe refuge, and income and legal support, but also working with various levels of government and with men, boys and community leaders to change attitudes towards women and girls. I felt really inspired seeing their work firsthand.”

Patrick Moran/OxfamAU

Asian Development Bank provides US$1 million for Papua New Guinea earthquake relief

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA (4 April 2018) —The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a $1 million grant agreement with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to help fund priority relief and recovery activities following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, which struck Hela Province on 26 February.
The agreement was signed by David Hill, ADB Country Director for Papua New Guinea, and Charles Abel, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer, at a ceremony in Port Moresby today.

Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel with the Country Director of ADB’s Papua New Guinea Resident Mission David Hill at the signing ceremony at Parliament House today .

“The earthquake and subsequent aftershocks caused widespread destruction and loss of life,” said Mr. Hill.
“This emergency relief assistance will help restore livelihoods. ADB stands ready to provide further assistance for the stricken provinces to rebuild.”
“The Government of Papua New Guinea appreciates the ADB grant, which will assist our relief and restoration efforts,” said Mr. Abel.
“Rehabilitation costs for water, roads, electricity, schools, and other sectors are likely to be very significant.”
On 1 March, a state of emergency was declared, following extensive damage in Hela and Southern Highlands provinces, which are considered the worst affected areas by the earthquake.
" Homes, bridges, roads, and power transmission and health facilities were destroyed, with loss of life estimated to have exceeded 100 people and counting. The disaster also caused severe landslides, which covered whole settlements, blocked roads and contaminated water sources in the affected areas.
The grant will come from ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund— a special fund designed to provide incremental grant resources to ADB developing member countries impacted by a major natural disaster—and will help the estimated 554,000 people that have been affected in five provinces of Papua New Guinea.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.
ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
 Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

Son treks Papua New Guinea in footsteps of US war hero dad

washingtonpost.com | April 3, 2018

CANBERRA, Australia — Jon O’Neill flew 23 hours from Florida to the mountainous jungles of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific in search of clues to the life of his war hero father, whom he can barely remember.

In this March 2017, photo provided by Justin Taylan, Jon O’Neill, right, poses with World War II historian Justin Taylan for a selfie in De Land, Fla. Photo by: Justin Taylan via AP

At times, it has been a painful journey of discovery among the rusted relics entangled in undergrowth of a conflict that ended 75 years ago for his father, U.S. Army Air Forces 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group ace John G. “Jump” O’Neill.
But it has also been an experience planned over a decade that has rewarded the 57-year-old editor and recreational pilot from De Land, Florida, beyond his expectations.
“I go ... back home with more memories than I ever thought I would be able to take with me. It’s been amazing,” the son told The Associated Press from Rabaul, the former Japanese stronghold on the Papua New Guinea island of New Britain, over which the father had four of his eight Japanese kills in a P-38 Lighting fighter.
The image of the father had been etched in the son’s mind more by family stories than by memory. John O’Neill died of leukemia in Florida when his only son was 6 and his daughter Tracey was a year younger.
With the guidance of World War II historian Justin Taylan, founder of the charity website PacificWrecks.com, which documents and preserves war sites and graves, the son has retraced his father’s 1943 wartime steps, from Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, to the wilds of the country’s north and east coasts.
Japan took Rabaul in 1942 and held it until the war ended in 1945. But Rabaul had been rendered useless as a base for Japanese fighting in the South Pacific by relentless air attacks and isolation from supply lines.
The son’s two weeks in Papua New Guinea, Australia’s nearest neighbor, ends on Wednesday.
On March 28 — his late father’s 97th birthday — Jon O’Neill was at Oro Bay, a former U.S. military staging post on the northeast coast, where his father shot down a Mitsubishi Zero, his second Japanese kill, on the day he turned 22.
A poignant moment came when visiting the town of Dobodura on the east coast, where an array of 15 airstrips for bombers and fighter planes became the U.S. front line of the Pacific War. From there, John O’Neill launched into intense air battles over Rabaul with his friend Capt. Richard Bong, the United States’ highest-scoring ace, who won a Medal of Honor for 40 confirmed kills. Bong survived 146 combat missions, only to be killed in California while test-flying a jet fighter prototype shortly before the war ended in 1945.
“When I got to Dobodura and I saw the runway where he flew from, I just got really, overwhelmingly depressed that I just couldn’t look at him and say, ‘What was this like for you when you were 21 or 22?’” O’Neill said.
“I got to see the campsite where he actually lived while he was in Oro Province, and that to me was one of the most amazing experiences, just to know that he was there,” he said.
O’Neill was promoted to captain before returning to the United States with Bong in late 1943 as combat heroes to sell war bonds.
Within weeks, O’Neill’s P-38, nicknamed Beautiful Lass, and its new pilot, Ormond Powell, disappeared somewhere in the New Britain jungles or the Bismarck Sea.
Taylan, who has been to Papua New Guinea dozens of times since his first visit in 1993 with his veteran grandfather, Carl R. Thien, a U.S. Army combat photographer in the Pacific, believes Beautiful Lass will someday be found.
The key is to reach out to villagers who have known for generations where in the jungle the wreckage lies.
“We believe the plane can be found,” Taylan said. “I can’t promise to him (Jon O’Neill) how long or how difficult that would be. But knowing him and seeing his experience of this trip makes me really want to find his father’s aircraft.”
“There are hundreds of missing in action aircraft from just the United States in this country and probably dozens from Australia. Many may never be found. Others will be found beyond my lifetime,” he said.
Jon O’Neill said Oro Province, where his father spent most of 1943, was much the same as it was during the war years.
The American military presence during World War II is still evident to those who look beneath the jungle canopy.
O’Neill hacked through the jungle with a machete for an hour to reach the wreck of a P-38. He saw a B-24 Liberator bomber, a Jeep and a canteen marked “U.S. Army 1942.” Near Japan’s Tobera Airfield on New Britain, he saw the wrecks of Mitsubishi Zeros that his father might have fought.
O’Neill cherishes the idea that Beautiful Lass might one day be found.
“It was last seen over New Britain somewhere,” he said. “It disappeared into a cloud and never came out, and I’m hoping that one of these days Justin will find it and I’ll be able to come back and actually see my father’s plane.”
“Who knows? You fly over New Britain and there’s just jungle. It could be down there anywhere,” he said.

Papua New Guinea group backs ICTSI

 by Darwin G. Amojelar, manilastandard.net
April 3, 2018

International Container Terminal Services Inc said Noho-Magae, an organisation representing the Baruni and Tatana communities in Papua New Guinea, has supported the operations of its subsidiary at Motokea International Terminal in Port Moresby.
MIT chief executive officer Edward Muttiah said ICTSI was pleased to have Noho-Magae on board to represent the interests of the Baruni and Tata communities.
“Today, we commence a 25-year journey and the strong support of our community partners has ensured a solid foundation built on trust, respect, and mutual commitment to build a world-class maritime facility–one that will, in time, become a source of pride for the nation,” he added.
ICTSI senior vice president and head of Asia Pacific Christian Gonzalez expressed optimism on the project, saying ICTSI was “privileged and excited to have been granted the opportunity to collaborate with our host community to jointly realise the potential of the Port of Motukea as a logistics hub. This mutually beneficial goal would not be possible without the support of our host communities.”

HRH Princess Haya shares photos of Dubai's latest humanitarian mission to Papua New Guinea

Dubai has sent a plane loaded with supplies to Papua New Guinea
emirateswoman.com | April 3, 2018

Following a devastating earthquake in February, more than 270,000 people in the southwest Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea need help. Thanks to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, that assistance is on the way.
In a series of images shared to Instagram on Monday evening, HRH Princess Haya shared news of an 80-tonne supply drop leaving Dubai.

Read:Here’s how Princess Haya is helping to tackle world hunger

The plane was provided by HH Sheikh Mohammed, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.
“WFP today airlifted more than 80 metric tons of life-saving, relief items from International Humanitarian City in Dubai to Papua New Guinea,” HRH Princess Haya wrote in her caption. The supplies would help around 60,000 people, she said.
The plane left from Dubai’s International Humanitarian City, which is the UN World Food Programme’s largest humanitarian hub.
More than 60 per cent of WFP relief deliveries leave from Dubai, Stefano Peveri, head of the UN Humanitarian Response Depot, said.
“We are grateful for Sheikh Mohammed’s generosity in rapidly providing this plane. His support is crucial to deliver humanitarian assistance to those most affected by this natural disaster,” Peveri continued.
Among those supplies were the nutrient-dense disaster relief biscuits that Princess Haya began funding with the WFP in January.
“HRH Princess Haya’s generosity is literally a life-saver. When an emergency happens, WFP must deliver food quickly, and this effort will put our emergency response into another gear so we can save lives anywhere, anytime,” said the programme’s executive director David Beasley at the time.
Here’s hoping those supplies give the people of Papua New Guinea the relief they need.

Sheikh Mohammed donates his plane to send aid to Papua New Guinea

 by Siobhan Downes, whatson.ae
April 3, 2018

The Dubai ruler has once again used his private jet to do some good.
Not everyone who has their own plane uses it for selfless activities – but then not everyone is H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai has sent his private cargo jet to Papua New Guinea, which was hit by a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake in February.
According to the UN World Food Programme, the aircraft donated by Sheikh Mohammed departed the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai on Monday morning, carrying more than 80 metric tons of life-saving, nutrient-dense biscuits.

ALSO READ: The UAE is officially the most generous country in the world

The food aid is expected to reach those in need within days, benefiting 60,000 people in the southwest Pacific nation.
“We are grateful for Sheikh Mohammed’s generosity in rapidly providing this plane. His support is crucial to deliver humanitarian assistance to those most affected by this natural disaster,” said Stefano Peveri, head of the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai.
The airlift was facilitated by the International Humanitarian City, which is chaired by HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, Sheikh Mohammed’s wife.
Princess Haya, who is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace, shared some pictures of the operation to her Instagram.

اليوم، قام برنامج الأغذية العالمي بنقل أكثر من 80 طناً من المساعدات الإغاثيّة الضرورية من المدينة العالمية للخدمات الإنسانية إلى بابوا غينيا الجديدة التي تعرّضت لهزّة أرضية مؤخراً. طائرة المساعدات الإغاثيّة – التي تبرّع بها صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم – حملت طعاماً يكفي لسدّ حاجة حوالي 60 ألف شخص من الذين تضرّروا جرّاء الهزة الأرضية ‏ #WFP today airlifted more than 80 metric tons of life-saving, relief items from International Humanitarian City in Dubai to Papua New Guinea ‏The plane, generously donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, carried enough food to feed approximately 60,000 people affected by the earthquake

It’s not the first time Sheikh Mohammed has freed up his private jet, either. In October 2016, the ruler famously loaded the 747B-400 with Dhs1.3 million worth of emergency supplies to send to cyclone-hit Haiti.
Princess Haya was also onboard the jet to ensure everything was distributed to plan.
And last year, Sheikh Mohammed ordered an emergency airlift bridge be set up to create a connection between the UAE and the more than 500,000 Rohingya refugees who fled from violence in Myanmar to southern Bangladesh.
The UAE has been named the world’s largest donor of official development aid, relative to its national income.
In 2016, the UAE spent 1.21 per cent of its gross national income on development aid – which totalled Dhs15.57 billion.
The United Nations recommends economically-advanced countries spend at least 0.7 per cent of their gross national income on aid, which shows the UAE really has gone over and above.

Australia's Oil Search resumes operations at Kutubu complex in Papua New Guinea

 By Christina Martin, reuters.com
April 3, 2018

(Reuters) - Australia’s Oil Search Ltd said on Tuesday that operations have resumed at a facility closed in the wake of a major earthquake in Papua New Guinea in February, with oil output under way from a number of wells in the Kutubu field.
Production has resumed at an initial rate of about 4,000 barrels of oil per day, the company said.
 Oil output from the array of Kutubu complex fields is expected to be restored gradually through April.
The company said its condensate handling facilities at Kutubu, connected to a giant Papua New Guinea liquefied natural gas (LNG) project operated by Exxon Mobil, were also ready to receive LNG condensate once the project resumes gas production.
Oil Search did not give any further information about the resumption of gas production, or the status of LNG operations at Exxon’s Hides gas processing.
Exxon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday and has previously said it expected to resume production within two months of the Feb 26 quake.
Oil Search said it will release revised guidance for production, as well as operating and capital costs in 2018, when it reports its first-quarter results on April 17.
Shares of the oil and gas explorer dropped as much as 1.7 percent to their lowest in more than two weeks against a 0.1 percent decline in the broader market.

Oxfam and New Zealand supports Papua New Guinea beekeepers


‘It’s my dream to continue this work’
by Eilish, oxfam.org.nz
April 2, 2018 


“To the Australians and New Zealanders who are donating their money to support this work, it’s really touching the lives of the rural people. And that’s what I like to see. When you support people it brings joy to your heart."

Photo: Patrick Moran/OxfamAUS

Oxfam is working alongside Kelly Inae, who owns Mountain Honey, and supporting him to provide training, advice and affordable equipment to rural beekeepers as part of a four year livelihoods project in Papua New Guinea.
“In a year of working with Oxfam I’ve trained almost 80 people. I supply them with my bee boxes and train them. They can bring their honey to me and I pay them in cash. This is greatly helping their living standards.
"I have managed to help all of these people through the support that Oxfam has given me. I am happy about this.”
The support that Kelly provides beekeepers across PNG means that many of them now generate enough of an income to support their families’ and save for the future.
"It motivates me to look at families and friends who have been able to build houses. It’s my dream to continue this work. In the future someone will say, ‘This house was built from honey money’ and I will love hearing that.
“Honey money giving people a house, honey money giving people an education, and honey money uplifting their living standards.
“I would like to say thank you to the Oxfam team who are supporting work in Papua New Guinea. I have been able to travel with Oxfam into areas where they are working here and I have seen a lot of things that are being done to help the community and it’s just amazing.”

This work is part of Oxfam’s HARVEST project – read more about it here.

*This project is partly supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Papua New Guinea's Wellington Albert stars: Widnes Vikings 6-28 St Helens

by Phil Cartwright, bbc.com

Super League: Widnes Vikings 6-28 St Helens

Widnes Vikings (6) 6
Try: Albert Goal: Gilmore
St Helens (16) 28

Tries: Morgan, Percival 2, Barba, Makinson 2 Goals: Richardson 2

St Helens maintained their four-point lead at the top of Super League with a six-try win at neighbours Widnes.
Ryan Morgan and Mark Percival put the visitors 10-0 up but injury-hit Vikings were rewarded for a spell of pressure when Wellington Albert crashed over.

Mark Percival took his tally of Super League tries in 2018 to nine with his double against Widnes

Percival's second restored Saints' 10-point lead before the interval.
Ben Barba's controversial score and a double from Tommy Makinson, the second his 100th try for St Helens, sealed a comfortable victory.
Leaders St Helens looked on course for a convincing victory when they raced ahead early on, but the introduction of Papua New Guinea prop Albert from the bench inspired Widnes into a response.
Luke Douglas' yellow card early in the second period offered the hosts further hope, which was quickly snuffed out when full-back Barba stepped through the Vikings' back line to score his 10th Super League try of the season.
However, it should not have stood as slow-motion replays showed the Australian had lost control of the ball in the act of grounding it over the line.
A young Widnes side emerged from the defeat with credit, despite winger Makinson twice finishing acrobatically in the corner to reach his personal milestone and increase the margin of victory.

Widnes: Craven; Marsh, Chamberlain, Runciman, Ince; Heremaia, Gilmore; Gerrard, Johnstone, Chapelhow, Olbison, Wilde, B Walker.

Replacements: Burke, Leuluai, D Walker, Albert.

St Helens: Barba; Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Grace; Fages, Richardson; Amor, Roby, Thompson, Peyroux, Taia, Wilkin.

Replacements: Smith, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Knowles.

Referee: Chris Kendall

UN food aid to benefit 60,000 people in earthquake-hit Papua New Guinea

news.un.org
April 2, 2018

The United Nations emergency food relief agency has airlifted over 80 metric tonness of vital nutritional supplements – enough to feed approximately 60,000 people in earthquake-hit Papua New Guinea.
According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the aircraft carrying the nutrient-dense, high energy biscuits, departed the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Monday morning, and its life-saving cargo will reach those in need within days.

UNICEF/Bell: People affected by the earthquake in Papua New Guinea take shelter under a tent. Across the island nation, over 270,000 remain dependent on humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the disaster and a series of devastating aftershocks.

The plane used for the airlift was provided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
“[This] support is crucial to deliver humanitarian assistance to those most affected by this natural disaster,” said Stefano Peveri, the head of the Humanitarian Response Depot in Dubai.
More than 270,000 people remain dependent on humanitarian assistance across the Pacific island nation after it was hit by a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake in February.
The earthquake was followed by a series of severe aftershocks throughout March, causing widespread panic among communities.
In addition, Papua New Guinea already faced severe food insecurity and alarming malnutrition levels before the earthquake. WFP’s remote assessments estimate that approximately 37 per cent of the population, or 60,000 people, were severely food insecure before the earthquake.
The earthquake and its aftershocks have further impacted people in the most vulnerable areas of the country, destroying root crops and vegetable gardens; the primary food sources in the affected area, said the UN agency.

Tanker docks at ExxonMobil's Papua New Guinea LNG export terminal

reuters.com
April 2, 2018

SINGAPORE, April 2 (Reuters) - A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has docked at ExxonMobil’s Papua New Guinea export plant, which has been shut since late February following a powerful earthquake, indicating that the facility is preparing to resume shipments.
The 172,000-cubic metre capacity LNG tanker Kumul, custom-built for the ExxonMobil-operated PNG LNG project, is currently moored at the terminal, Thomson Reuters Eikon shiptracking data showed.
It has a draft of 90 percent, suggesting it is nearly full, after leaving Indonesia’s Bontang on March 26.
This is likely the LNG cargo ExxonMobil purchased last month to keep its PNG plant cold, an industry source said, but that could not be verified.
Exxon officials could not be reached on Monday, a public holiday in Papua New Guinea.
LNG achieves its fluid status by being super-cooled to around minus 160 degrees Celsius (minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit).
A senior ExxonMobil executive said in March that the company was shipping in the cargo to keep the LNG export plant cool so it is ready to start production from the gas when it comes down from its Hides facility.
The company hopes to resume shipments from the export facility - one of its top performing assets in 2017 - by late April, or eight weeks after it shut following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake that killed dozens of people.
Led by Exxon, with a one-third stake, and its Australian partners Oil Search and Santos, PNG LNG is the impoverished nation’s biggest revenue earner.
Exxon and France’s Total plan to double their gas exports from Papua New Guinea to around 16 million tonnes a year at an estimated cost of $13 billion.

Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan Editing by Manolo Serapio Jr.

World Food Programme airlifts life-saving relief to people affected by Papua New Guinea earthquake

wfp.org
April 2, 2018

​DUBAI – The World Food Programme (WFP) yesterday airlifted life-saving, nutrient-dense biscuits from its UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Dubai to Papua New Guinea.
With a cargo of more than 80 metric tonnes of the nutritious high energy biscuits, the plane carried enough food to feed approximately 60,000 earthquake-affected people.
​More than 270,000 people continue to require humanitarian assistance following the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake which struck the country in February, and this airlift is part of WFP’s emergency response in the country.
The earthquake was followed by a series of severe aftershocks throughout March, causing widespread panic among communities.
The plane departed from Dubai early Monday morning and the biscuits will reach people within days.
 The plane used for the airlift was provided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
“We are grateful for Sheikh Mohammed’s generosity in rapidly providing this plane. His support is crucial to deliver humanitarian assistance to those most affected by this natural disaster,” said Stefano Peveri, Head of UNHRD in Dubai.
“More than 60 percent of UNHRD transports originate from Dubai. This makes Dubai WFP’s largest humanitarian hub in the world, thanks to the excellent logistical facilities and ongoing Government support."
Papua New Guinea already faced severe food insecurity and alarming malnutrition levels before the earthquake.
Approximately 37 percent of the population, or 60,000 people, were severely food insecure before the earthquake, according to WFP’s remote assessments using mobile technology.
The earthquake and its aftershocks have further impacted people in the most vulnerable areas of the country, destroying root crops and vegetable gardens; the primary food sources in the affected area.
The airlift is facilitated by the International Humanitarian City (IHC), chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, which hosts WFP’s warehousing facilities in Dubai.
The Princess is a long-term supporter of WFP and currently serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers disaster specialists join local volunteers in Papua New Guinea to help villages recover from magnitude 7.5 earthquake

A Global Digital Media Network
http://m.digitaljournal.com/pr/3717199
April 2, 2018

A grassroots initiative is helping sooth the anxiety and stress of those coping in the wake of the magnitude 7.5 Papua New Guinea (PNG) earthquake.
 Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VMs) are bringing immediate relief to those living in care centers while they carry out assessments of the food and water supplies and any medical or sanitation situations for local authorities.

The United Nations estimates some 270,000 Papua New Guineans have yet to receive urgent humanitarian care.
In addition to their physical needs, UNICEF Representative for PNG Karen Allen is concerned about the fear, loss and confusion the children have experienced since the Feb 26 quake. 
More than 140 significant aftershocks have rocked the island, providing a constant reminder of danger.
So the VMs begin by teaching them “The Triangle of Life” — a survival technique of particular value in developing countries where inadequate or nonexistent building codes make finding a “survivable void” inside collapsed buildings more important than shielding yourself from falling debris.
Next, they use a Scientology process to help them overcome their fear of the dangerous environment.
“Usually at this point, the entire group is super relaxed and happy and we answer any further questions and leave it at that,” said one of the Volunteer Ministers.
But after they delivered this process in one center, a man came up to him and ask for more information.
The man really wanted to learn how to deliver this process, so he could help his wife and family.
The Volunteer Minister gave him a booklet describing these techniques, all of which are also available through a free online course on the Volunteer Ministers website.
It is remarkable how quickly people rebound with the application of a few simple Volunteer Minister tools, the VM noted.
The Church of Scientology Volunteer Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by L. Ron Hubbard.
 Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities.
 The church provides free online training on the Volunteer Ministers website.
In creating the Volunteer Ministers program, L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilise it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

Rural populations in four districts to benefit from EU and UNICEF support WASH project

Port Moresby, 29 March 2018 – A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project to be implemented soon in four districts in Papua New Guinea is expected to have significant positive impact on the productivity, health and wellbeing of 70,000 people including some 40,000 children, UNICEF said today.
The project, to be executed in two phases over four years, will be implemented  in close collaboration with district development authorities (DDAs) in the four districts of Nawae (Morobe Province), Central Bougainville (Autonomous Regional of Bougainville), Goroka (EHP) and Hagen Central (WHP).
 “UNICEF is delighted to work in partnership with the European Union (EU), the Government of Papua New Guinea and the DDAs in the four districts to implement phase one of this important project, UNICEF Representative, Karen Allen said at the launch of the first phase of the project.
“Poor sanitation, unsafe water and unhygienic practices are major causes of preventable illness and deaths especially in children.
 "While access to safe water is important, the largest health benefits that come from improving sanitation and hygiene practices, are essential for the survival and development of children and wellbeing of people in general. UNICEF is committed to working with partners in this project to mobilise communities to promote behavioural change through community driven actions and solutions,” Allen stressed.
"The EU is one of the largest donors of WASH assistance worldwide.
"In Papua New Guinea, the EU Delegation has been actively supporting this focal sector over 40 years of partnership.
"This joint EU-UNICEF-PNG project will provide sustainable access to safe drinking water, basic sanitation and key hygiene practices in rural areas in schools and health facilities in line with the PNG’s National WASH Policy.
" This strategic approach to join our forces targeting schools and health centres is essential to continue progress towards Sustainable Development Goals", mentioned the Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador Ioannis Giogkarakis-Argyropoulos.
Four selected non-governmental organisations – World Vision, Plan International, Oxfam and Infra Tech - will support respective DDAs in the four districts for five months.
During the first phase, they will, amongst other things, develop a five-year WASH plan and budget for access to safe water, handwashing facilities and improved sanitation and hygiene practices.
Phase two of the project, expected to start in September 2018, will see the implementation of WASH services for 200 schools, 36 health centres and hygiene behaviour change services in 800 communities.
In commending the Government for its holistic WASH policy, and for establishing a WASH Management Unit, developing an Implementation Strategy, and facilitating an institutional structure to implement the Policy, the EU and UNICEF said: “Improving access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation and improved hygiene practices will reduce child mortality, improve health and education outcomes and contribute to reduced poverty and sustainable development as a whole.”

PM O’Neill welcomes China Export-Import Bank Vice President to Papua New Guinea

Office of the Prime Minister
Papua New Guinea

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill  has welcomed the ongoing engagement between Papua New Guinea and the Export-Import Bank of China to fund development projects around the country.
 O’Neill made the comments after meeting EXIM Bank Vice President,  Sun Ping, in Port Moresby last week.

“China is a strong development partner with Papua New Guinea and we look forward to developing additional projects,” he said.
“We have a very clear one-China policy in Papua New Guinea and work together on a range of projects and initiatives that deliver clear benefits for our country and the broader global economy.
“This includes infrastructure delivery, and interests of mutual benefit such as dealing with climate change.
“With the recent re-election of Xi Jinping as the President of the People’s Republic of China, and the continuation of China’s development programmes, I anticipate we will identify additional opportunities to increase engagement.
“EXIM Bank Vice President Sun Ping was in Papua New Guinea to research projects and work with the Government on a number of opportunities ahead of the APEC Leader’s Summit in November.
“The China EXIM Bank has an important role to play in Papua New Guinea and we will continue to advance this engagement.”
O'Neill further welcomed the intended visit by President Xi to Papua New Guinea during APEC Leader’s Week.
“China is providing support for APEC 2018 Papua New Guinea and we look forward to hosting President Xi in November," he said.
“Both countries are looking to the delivery of concrete outcomes from the current APEC year hosted by Papua New Guinea.
“The policy agenda of APEC this year has a strong focus on economic empowerment and this is particularly relevant to Papua New Guinea as we continue to expand infrastructure across the country.
“Following the recent Highlands earthquake we are now also facing substantial infrastructure repairs and rebuilding, and projects are being assessed.”
President Xi Jinping has confirmed his attendance at the APEC Summit and this will also provide the opportunity for him to see first-hand a number of development projects undertaken in Papua New Guinea with China.

Language of art

fijitimes.com
April 2, 2018

By MATILDA SIMMONS

HE calls himself an "internationally homeless guy".
Tote Gallardo has been to so many countries around the world that he says he has no one to return to back at home.
He says he comes from one of the countries that border the famous Amazon forest.

In the hills of Papua New Guinea, Tote Gallardo teaches children some art. Picture: SUPPLIED

While he is not forthcoming about his home country, it may be Brazil or Peru judging by his accent.
"You can write whatever you like," he says with a laugh.
"But I am an internationally homeless guy.
"I have travelled to 76 countries and practically worked and lived on the streets including right up to the most remote jungles and forests."
The 53-year-old is an artist.
He has been travelling since he was in his early 20s, making a living from his art exhibitions and travelling whenever the bug hits him.
From Korea, Cambodia, Russia, to the jungles of Zimbabwe and other African countries, Tote has enjoyed every moment sharing his art with children in orphanages and vulnerable communities.
"I first started doing this work when I was in Africa.
"I saw how the children suffered from social ills including diseases such as cancer and AIDs.
" It touched my heart and I wanted to make them smile.
"After many art sessions with them, it gave me the idea to visit many children around the world, from the disabled to the sick.
" I always find happiness when I get a smile from them."
Tote was just in New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea prior to touching down in Fiji. This is the first time he is in the Pacific.
"Papua New Guinea is beautiful, I felt right at home there," he said smiling.
"I enjoyed trekking through the mountains to reach some of the most isolated villages as well as travelling by boat to reach some of the remote coastal islands.
"It was fantastic.
"That country is my favourite place so far."
The language of art can certainly help make a connection with any person.
Tote described how he was able to overcome the language barrier in some of the developing countries by using his artwork.
"I once met this disabled young man in Cambodia, who was quite suspicious at first and did not take to what I was trying to tell him," said Tote.
"But when I brought out my artwork and my tools for drawing, he started warming up and we spent most of our conversation making signs to each other as we drew art.
"It's the same in other societies.
"People often keep to themselves and don't open up easily, but once I strike up a conversation and show them what I do, they are very receptive.
"There is no language for art, it is universal and you can connect with anyone through it."
Tote will be in Fiji for a month to visit orphanages and children's hospitals to hold art sessions.
He has also asked for any organisations willing to allow him to share his work to contact him on newartglassrevolution@gmail.com

Old Royal Adelaide Hospital medical equipment to help people hit by earthquake in the PNG highlands

news.com.au

EQUIPMENT from the old Royal Adelaide Hospital will be put to good use in the highlands of Papua New Guinea with help from a Flinders University student.

Shila Paia, a PhD student, comes from a community devastated by the recent earthquake and mud slides in remote mountain areas.

Her contacts in PNG’s health services have enabled her to identify goods available from the decommissioned RAH that will help to cover shortfalls in medical supplies.

Equipment ranging from ultrasounds to theatre and surgical goods will help in everything from childbirth to basic primary health care.

“Every piece that has been made available from the old RAH will be useful,” she said.

“I’m especially pleased to have secured a surgical microscope, which I am hoping to donate to the Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae.”

Shila’s project is one of 29 endorsed project applications for equipment from the old RAH.

She is now seeking help to pack a shipping container.

SA’s Dr Yasmin Endlich, Dr Chris Acot, Dr Robert Young and nurse Sharon Philip will travel to PNG to install the equipment and train locals.

Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister praises New Zealand’s new focus on the Pacific

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

 Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs  Rimbink Pato has welcomed the renewed focus on Papua New Guinea and the Pacific recently announced by New Zealand.
 Pato conveyed his views at a meeting in Wellington on March 28 with his counterpart,  Winston Peters, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.
 He expressed deep gratitude for the “quick and generous” earthquake recovery assistance extended by New Zealand.
Later, in an address to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs,  Pato said he welcomed with great enthusiasm the “Pacific reset” policy as described by Peters in a recent speech to one of Australia's foremost think tanks, the Lowy Institute in Sydney.
 Pato said the whole of the Pacific would be pleased to hear that New Zealand intended to move its Pacific relationship past the donor-recipient interaction into a genuine mature political partnership.
“This is exactly the type of relationship we want with the biggest partnership donors to our region, New Zealand and Australia,” he said.
“Such is the population mix particularly in New Zealand but also in Australia, that it is clear the blue ‘continent’ of the Pacific has its deepest cultural relations with Australasia, relations with deep roots in our history, our economies, our families."
 Pato praised the “legendary generosity” of New Zealand.
“This was demonstrated most quickly by its quick and extremely bountiful assistance to us after the recent devastating earthquake in my country,” he said.
 Pato said New Zealand gave  immediate practical help,  including the use of a C130 aircraft to take supplies to the affected  areas, and an assistance package of more than $3.5 million.
“We are most grateful to the New Zealand government and people," he said.
" We will never forget this.
"And we will also be forever grateful for the major contribution New Zealand is making to the APEC summit we are hosting in November.”
 Pato said New Zealand’s continuing and renewed focus on the Pacific was in the interest of  both countries.
“For New Zealand, I see it clearly in your interest to have economically developed partners and allies in the Pacific, all with a clear commitment to democracy, transparency and accountability," he said.
 Pato referred to advice and assistance by New Zealand in hydro-electricity schemes,  agriculture and the environment, gender equality programmes, education and other training, small and medium business, fisheries protection and climate change resilience measures.
He said PNG was a strong advocate of a rules-based international order founded on justice.
Pato praised Minister Peters “for his complimentary remarks about our chief security and development partner, Australia” and for his views that New Zealand and Australia needed to join together more than ever to face the challenges of regional instability and global uncertainty.

Papua New Guinea Kumul Kurt Baptiste waiting in the wings

nswrl.com.au
March 31, 2018 

While the Sydney Roosters lick their wounds off the back of an uncharacteristic defeat to the Warriors, Kurt Baptiste waits patiently in the wings.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for the crafty hooker; forced out of the Canberra Raiders due to salary cap constraints, playing for Papua New Guinea in the recent Rugby League World Cup, signing with Leigh in the English Super League before joining the Roosters.
All that came after rupturing his Achilles in the 2017 pre-season meaning he didn’t play NRL until Round 14.
He played only one game for Leigh Centurions before making the decision to come back to Australia due to personal reasons and is now in the mix for a Roosters spot. For the moment, Baptiste is playing for the Wyong Roos in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW as he searches for that NRL opportunity.
“Obviously I’ve got to play well for Wyong and hopefully I’ll get a shot at some stage,” Baptiste says to NSWRL.com.au.
“I got forced out of Canberra for salary cap reasons, and it just wasn’t for me over [in England].
“I’m just glad to be back in Australia now.”
The Roosters have enjoyed success with long-term hooker Jake Friend while rising star Victor Radley has the capacity to play both hooker and in the back row.
There is certainly scope for all three to fit in the starting 17 should coach Trent Robinson go that way, particularly if he is looking for something different after the Warriors defeat.
Baptiste has the utmost respect for Friend and is learning off him every day as he settles into Bondi life.
“[Friend] is a great player, he’s playing really well,” Baptiste says.
“I’m learning a lot off him at training, so it’s been good.
“I’m really enjoying myself here, it’s a great club and a privilege to be a part of this club.”
The Wyong Roos went down to the Warriors by a field goal in what was Baptiste’s second game for the club, where he came off the bench for a 42-minute stint in the middle of the game.
He played a similar role in his first game last week, where ironically, they won by a field goal.
“I’m looking to build my minutes up gradually and getting a bit of that game fitness back,” Baptiste says.
The Roosters play the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night while Wyong play the Bulldogs on Saturday, and it will be interesting to see who Baptiste lines up for.