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Newsletter April 2022

How ready are you when disaster strikes?

Students practicing the Drop! Cover! Hold! in an earthquake situation. Photo: Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

On the northern coast of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in the Haku constituency of Buka, lies Lemanmanu, a small coastal community located approximately 60 kilometers from Buka town - the area is highly exposed to seismic events such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, Tsunamis, drought, floods, landslides, sea-level rise, and other climate related hazards.

UNDP’s Humanitarian Advisory Team traveled to Bougainville to work with the community and schools of Lemanmanu, Buka, to prepare them for what to do if a Tsunami occurs. The training comes under the third phase of the ‘Partnerships for Strengthening School Preparedness for Tsunamis in the Asia Pacific Region (Tsunami Project)’, generously funded by the Government of Japan.

Students from Lemanmanu Primary and Yakobala Elementary Schools, following an existing evacuation route during mock Tsunami drills. Photo: Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

The Lemanmanu community and surrounding schools - Lemanmanu Primary and Yakobala Elementary, were selected to participate in a weeklong training on tsunami preparedness. Teachers and students at the schools, ward council members, community health workers and interested parents were included for tsunami awareness and tsunami evacuation drill exercises.

The schools are in an elevated location overlooking the shore and not in direct threat by a likely tsunami, however, they sit above the shoreline homes of hundreds of people, exposed to the risk of a tsunami, and they would most likely be evacuated to the school buildings for temporary shelter in the event of an emergency.

“School and community preparedness and response plans remain relevant and effective if they are regularly tested and evaluated,” said Lindsay Lambi, UNDP Humanitarian Coordination Officer.

He further stated that with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans needed to be reviewed and updated to incorporate COVID-safe guidelines, include wearing masks, physical distancing, and safe hygiene practices at evacuation centers.

The workshop assisted a total of 32 participants and 59 school children who took part in the evacuation drills, to test and evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of their emergency plans.

Participants doing a group presentation during the training. Photo: Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

“We have not experienced a tsunami here, however we do face many forms of climate related disasters, such as king tides, heavy rainfall, and drought, therefore this training is vital, especially for our students and community, to be prepared,” said Thomas Katoa, Senior Teacher at Yakobala Elementary school.

The workshop was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, with support from the National Disaster Centre (NDC), National Department of Education (NDOE), the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory division of the Department of Mineral Policy and Geohazards Management and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and ran from 4-9 April, 2022.

This exercise also contributes towards the Autonomous Bougainville Government’s (ABG) efforts to reduce disaster risks for its people. It would also contribute to the achievement of the relevant objectives set out in ABG’s Strategic Development Plan (2018-2022).

Follow link for more information on the ‘Tsunami Project’: https://bit.ly/3KSzrrP

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National Energy Authority introduces the Papua New Guinea Regulation for Small Power Systems

Increasing access to reliable electricity or energy services in villages can improve livelihoods by creating economic opportunities. Photo: Clive Hawigen | UNDP Papua New Guinea

Increasing access to reliable electricity or energy services in villages can improve livelihoods by creating economic opportunities.

On Monday April 11, 2022, the final version of the Papua New Guinea Regulation for Small Power Systems was handed over to the National Energy Authority (NEA) by United Nations Development Programme to facilitate the promotion of access to affordable clean energy.

Papua New Guinea has set a target for 70% of its households with access to electricity by 2030 and the ‘Small Power Systems’ sets the foundation to achieving this target. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” by 2030.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Edward Vrkic, presenting the ‘Papua New Guinea Regulations for Small Power Systems’ document to the National Energy Authority Managing Director, Mr Ronald Meketa. Photo: Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Dirk Wagener said, “Cheaper, cleaner energy for more people improves livelihoods and protects vulnerable communities and fragile ecosystems from the impacts of global warming and climate change. We take this opportunity to thank NEA for continuing the support that was initially provided by the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) in the development of the Papua New Guinea Regulation for Small Power Systems. A first of its kind for the country!”

The Regulation was developed under the UNDP-managed 'Facilitating Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Applications for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Project'.

The Regulation provides for private and public investments in energy service products including power systems of less than one megawatt (< 1 MW). It allows for the involvement of communities irrespective of the business models to be used. Micro, small and medium enterprises can now look to becoming energy service providers in remote areas of the country, bringing affordable energy services to rural villages. This will unlock a variety of commercial activities in the communities and expand the local economies. Following endorsement by the National Executive Council, the National Energy Authority, will be able to use the Regulation to license mini-grid operators who wish to retail electricity services in remote rural areas.

The Facilitating Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Applications for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Project is proudly funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is administered by UNDP in partnership with the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA).

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Special Parliamentary GBV Committee tables final report

File Photo: The first Special Parliamentary Committee hearing on Gender-Based Violence at the APEC Haus. Photo: Clive Hawigen | UNDP Papua New Guinea

For the last year, UNDP has been supporting the Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence with technical advice and logistical assistance through the EU funded UN Spotlight Initiative on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The Committee has been active in using its oversight powers to review the existing work of key government bodies, to identify challenge and provide recommendations from change.

From 3-4 March, 2022, the Committee held its second public hearing, which was used to call on Government officials to provide an update on their activities since the Committee’s first hearing in May 2022. Following the first hearing, with UNDP support, the Committee produced a historic report on GBV which was tabled in Parliament in August 2021 and included 71 recommendations for government action. At the March 2022 hearing, the Committee asked questions regarding implementation of those recommendations. While some positive progress was reported, officials still made very clear that frontline health, policing, counselling, safe house and prosecution services are still severely under-staffed and under-funded.

Drawing on the testimony at the hearings, the Committee tabled a Final Report on the GBV Inquiry, with UNDP technical support. The report updated the recommendations to government, and offered concrete guidance for government officials to action.

The Committee requested to be made a permanent committee of the Parliament but this recommendation has not yet been actioned. UNDP is committed to supporting parliamentary partners during the 11th Parliament to progress this recommendation.

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Leaving no one behind, bringing everyone together with digitalisation

Digitalisation allows environmental and natural resources data to be centralised and made available nationally. Photo: Theresa Dearden | UNDP Papua New Guinea

A villager from the island of New Britain, Gesupo recently attended a UNDP protected area workshop. Although a rewarding and informative experience, he says it was hard work getting to the workshop venue, from the forests of Tavolo.

This journey took them on a two-day trek through the lush, pristine rainforests of Tavolo Wildlife Management Area, followed by a short hop on a mission plane waiting at an airfield. Finally a two-hour boat ride from Pamalmal to the workshop venue in Kokopo, East New Britain Province. Anticipating their exhaustion, the organisers had thoughtfully allowed for a day of recovery for all participants.

Leaving no one behind, UNDP’s guiding value - while supporting the digitalisation of Papua New Guinea’s environmental information management - is no easy task. In this country’s complexity of landscapes, the digital process calls for bringing together diverse communities, representing over 800 languages, varying levels of literacy, and a range of occupations.

In a series of workshops conducted in 2016 and 2017, customary landowners and community members from 58 Protected Areas learned about the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool or METT, now customised with UNDP’s support, for Papua New Guinea’s unique cultural needs. The PNG-METT tool is designed to help evaluate the management of Protected Areas and help to digitise and centrally share environmental data.

The journey so far

Papua New Guinea’s rich traditional cultures and wealth of indigenous knowledge is isolated locally with limited national access. As a result, Protected Areas may be prone to mismanagement. Digitalisation allows this environmental and natural resources data to be centralised and made available nationally.

Issues raised by customary landowners at the METT workshops included the younger generation’s lack of knowledge on the boundaries of Wildlife Management Areas and the need for them to appreciate Protected Areas and their values. They were also concerned about the absence of research and monitoring plans, conservation training, emergency procedures and maps.

“For us, especially indigenous people, it’s our life. We have this deep connection, this cultural connection with our forest, but we lack that management component”, said Junior Novera, PhD Biology, from Kunua, Bougainville.

“Maybe we have a cultural perspective on management but maybe we lack modern, scientific management approaches.”

How centralised NRM data empowers communities

By integrating scientific data and traditional knowledge, a new Natural Resource Management (NRM) Hub under development by UNDP, will bridge the flow of NRM data between communities and the government, including international organisations, NGOs, academics, policymakers and civil society organisations.

Community members will find it easier to access financial, logistical, and technical help for managing and safeguarding their Protected Areas. An increase of knowledge will include communities as better advocates for change. Communities will be further empowered to improve measures such as physically marking Protected Area boundaries to resist encroachments by logging and oil companies.

Over the course of March and April 2022, the NRM Hub and its products have been introduced to the stakeholders of the Protected Area Roadshow, occurring in four regional locations across Papua New Guinea. Policymakers armed with more granular environmental data from Protected Areas will make better decisions for mitigating hazard damage and controlling illegal activities. Over time, centralised data could literally catalyse a new level of NRM in Papua New Guinea.

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Provincial and national officials' partner to address Gender-Based Violence

Participants from throughout the country, at the workshop. Photo: Julie Bukikun | UNDP Papua New Guinea

Fifty national and provincial officials and civil society representatives from across the country came together in Port Moresby at a three-day workshop with an aim to develop concrete activity plans to guide work to address gender-based violence (GBV) from April 22-24, 2022.

The meeting was organised by the Department for Community Development and Religion, in partnership with UNDP as part of the EU-funded UN Spotlight Initiative on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. It brought together provincial officials from all 20 provinces, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and NCD, alongside national officials working to address GBV.

During the opening ceremony, DFCDR Secretary Mr Jerry Ubase stated: “GBV has a terrible impact on the people of our country. It harms women and children in every single province – in every single town and village. It is our jobs as public servants to implement the Government’s commitment to end GBV. It is very important that we all work together.”

Mr Ubase stressed the importance of developing concrete plans that could be funded and implemented immediately. He stated: “I am hopeful that we will have some very clear action plans and budgets that my own team can use – in partnership with UNDP – to more effectively allocate and disburse the national GBV budget so that it has a real impact. I am very clear that the funding must be spent properly so that people on the ground feel a real change in their lives from the work we are doing. Everything we do, we need to consider how it will change people’s lives – how we can make things better.”

In the 2022 National Budget, the Government allocated 7.93 million Kina to DFCDR to address GBV. DFCDR is now working with key partners to ensure the funding is disbursed accountably and is used to support priorities such as addressing sorcery accusation related violence', establishing more safe houses and implementing more GBV prevention programmes.

At the opening statement, Ms Julie Bukikun, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, also pledged the support of the UN to working with national and provincial partners to end GBV. She stated: “The UN is working to support the Government of PNG through the EU-funded UN Spotlight Initiative for Ending Violence Against Women and Children. The Spotlight Initiative is a partnership between the European Union and United Nations which brings together UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, and UNICEF to work in partnership with the PNG Government to progress implementation of the National GBV Strategy - as well as other sectoral strategies of relevance - to improve GBV health responses, policing, and access to justice.”

The meeting ran for three days, from Tuesday 12 April to Thursday 14 April. Participants engaged with a range of different national officials, technical specialists, and civil society experts. Through this meeting, it is expected that provincial officials will have developed clear implementation plans to guide their efforts throughout 2022 to address GBV.

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Bougainville Transition Dialogues Phase 2 training completed

Forty-one coordinators and local facilitators from the 33 constituencies of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) came together to reflect on the work conducted by the Bougainville Transition Dialogue Phase 2 (BTD2) from April 2-5, 2022.

Held at the Fr. Begg Center in Buka, the BTD2 Planning Dialogue was to also plan peace building and dialogue activities for 2022.

The BTD2 is a public dialogue project located in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB) in Papua New Guinea. It is a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government, the Bougainville Christian Churches Association (BCCA), Peace and Conflict Studies Institute Australia (PaCSIA), the UN, and a group of Bougainvillean peacebuilders and civil society leaders. They are known as the BTD2 Facilitator Team.

Participants during a group discussion session. Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea

The BTD2 encouraged constructive and informed discussions among Bougainvilleans about their political, economic, social and spiritual future and address some of their fears and concerns to ensure a peaceful transition process. They also provide a feedback loop to the ABG, and the National Government of Papua New Guinea where frequently raised questions and concerns are communicated to relevant authorities to assist.

They received briefings from the Attorney-General and Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation Hon. Ezekiel Massat and the Minister for Education Hon. Theonila Roka Matbob. They also were briefed on progress with the Key Message document by ABG Media Directorate Director Ms Adriana Schmidt and engaged in a historic first-time Zoom conference with Mr Terence Mose from NCOBA.

The planning dialogue was facilitated by Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey and Dr Serge Loode, the project leaders of the BTD2 from PaCSIA.

After these sessions the BTD2 Facilitator Team is now well equipped to start their journey through the villages of Bougainville to provide information to remote communities and to engage the population of Bougainville in dialogue about their aspirations and their future.

As noted by Mary Mamatau from Konnou Constituency, “the workshop gave us required knowledge and skills, so that we play our role as peacebuilders in the communities, provide updates on post-referendum consultations and engage in peace reconciliation activities”.

The dialogues are implemented through a network of local facilitators across Bougainville and are mostly conducted in Tok Ples (local language) and Tok Pisin. The BTD is funded by Misereor e.V., the German Catholic Bishops’ Agency for Development, and the United Nations Development Programme through the UN Peacebuilding Fund nested in the “Sustaining Peace in Bougainville Programme” and is implemented by the Peace and Conflict Studies Institute Australia (PaCSIA).

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Autonomous Region of Bougainville celebrates its first-ever World Creativity and Innovation Day

World Creativity & Innovation Day was a first ever celebration in Bougainville - and was part of over 50 countries that celebrated.

Recognizing that creativity and innovation will be key pillars to support the recovery and economic upliftment of Bougainville, communities in Buka celebrated World Creativity and Innovation Day on 21 April 2022.

The purpose of World Creativity & Innovation Day was to remind and encourage people to use their creativity to make the world a better place and to make their place in the world better too. It was a first ever celebration in Bougainville and was part of over 50 countries that celebrated the day. The global event brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, Government and UN agencies to create solutions focused on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals while delivering and working to support local entrepreneurs and business accelerate their creative and innovation initiatives.

“At UNDP Papua New Guinea, we are working tirelessly to support and implement innovation agenda for the Bougainville region with our Autonomous Bougainville Government partners and with our donors to help drive increased participation of entrepreneurs, women and youth in a digital and increasingly connected global marketplace” says Mr. Dirk Wagener, UNDP Resident Representative in Papua New Guinea.

Stalls were provided to local MSMEs to display their products Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea

He further added: “We are excited to be working on empowering the Bougainville women, youth, entrepreneurs and others by implementing and delivering three innovation hubs across the Autonomous Region of Bougainville that will act as a resource, incubator, and learning centers enabling seamless acquisition of skills, knowledge, and resources needed to help catalyse business and employment growth in the region.”

Dr Ahmed Awil, Private Sector Development Specialist with UNDP Papua New Guinea said: “holding this event is aligned to the upcoming development and implementation of Bougainville innovation hubs being built in Buka, Arawa and Buin and will be a platform to showcase the education and training program to be rolled out in late May 2022.”

Background: Bougainville Innovation Hubs

Stalls were provided to local MSMEs to display their products Photo: UNDP Papua New Guinea

Bougainville innovation hubs support early-stage entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, and infrastructure to help accelerate the business idea and establish a viable business entity that then becomes Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The Planned innovation hubs will deliver services and activities related to the betterment and economic empowerment of the Bougainville community. The hubs are generously funded by the Government of Japan.

The Bougainville innovation hubs will be built in three towns in Bougainville: Buka, Arawa and Buin. The innovation hubs are focused on allowing women, youth, students and others to have access to vocational and skills related training focused on digital and technological curricula. The outcome envisaged under this program to develop and support a pool of entrepreneurs who will go on to start their own businesses and act as future wealth creators and employers for the Bougainville region.

While construction of the innovation hubs is on-going, there is an opportunity to deliver and provide education and training activities aligned to the needs of the Bougainville community. A detailed program structure including courses, curricula, and delivery options across Buka, Buin and Arawa will be shared soon. Selection of potential programme participants in each of the three regions will be made through an objective screening process that will be implemented in partnership with stakeholders. Other details like registrations, eligibility and course dates will be available once the discussions with the community partners have been completed.

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Rural COVID-19 Response Boosted with additional donation of ambulances funded by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund

Ambulances taken to the AES wharf at Napanapa to be prepared for shipment. Photo: Moses Goro | UNDP Papua New Guinea

The Indian Government and the United Nations Development Programme handed over an additional 6 ambulances to the Department of Health and HIV/AIDS in early April.

The Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong, Indian High Commissioner Shri Inbasekar, and the Members' for Menyamya Open, Hon. Benjamin Philip and Anglimp South Wahgi Hon. Joe Kuli and Motu-Koita Assemby Chairman Hon. Dadi Toka Jnr were present during the handover at the National Parliament, in Port Moresby.

From left to right: Chairman of Motu-Koita Assembly Dadi Toka Jr., Indian High Commissioner H.E. Shri Inbasekar, the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS, Hon. Jelta Wong, Deputy Resident Representative Mr Edward Vrkic, Member for Menyamya Open Hon. Benjamin Philip and Member for Anglimp South Whagi Hon. Joe Kuli at the handover ceremony at the National Parliament, in Port Moresby.
This brings a total of 10 ambulances handed over to the national government since 2021 to continue to support its efforts to address ongoing pressures of COVID-19 in Papua New Guinea’s rural health system.

The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Edward Vrkic thanked the Government of India for its generous support.

“As the pandemic is still ongoing but also for any other medical emergency, emergency response services in rural regions are in need of effective ambulance services,” he said.

Hon. Philip and Hon. Kuli will each get an ambulance for their district respectively.

Mr Kuli thanked the Indian government for ambulances. He said: “Anglimp South Wahgi is a big electorate that shares its borders with Western Highlands and Simbu provinces and serves around 160,000 people. The ambulance will assist the community.”

Mr Vrkic explaining to Mr. Kuli and Mr Phliip on the features that the new ambulances have.

Hon. Philip also shared the same sentiments adding that it is a timely assistance for the people in his community.

UNDP procured 10 new ambulances with the generous assistance of the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The first two ambulances were handed over in 2021 and assigned to St. John’s Ambulance Services to boost capacities to cope with recent surges. Further 2 ambulances were handed over in February to the Department of Health and HIV/AIDS. The Member for Finschhafen, Hon. Rainbo Paita for the Finschhafen District, Morobe Province received one of these ambulances. The remaining new ambulances being handed over to the Department of Health and will be assigned throughout the country. 5 existing ambulances have been upgraded.

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Supporting women through digital and financial literacy

UNCDF Country Lead Jagdeep Dahiya talking to women at Ela Beach. Photo: Lorraine Basse | UNCDF

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) continues to support Women’s Economic Empowerment through capacity building by awarding four applicants a share of over K351,000.00 in their “Women’s Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Fund.”

Through a competitive process, four players were selected. They are - PNGX Markets, Tok Stret Consulting, Westpac and Agbook. They will be signing a Performance-Based Grant Agreement with UNCDF to deploy gender-responsive trainings and capacity building inputs that meet the needs of the informal women traders, women micro-entrepreneurs, and formally established women led businesses and Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The trainings will be focused in Port Moresby and Lae as starting points and later expanded to other regions of the county.

The Fund was launched in November last year to complement the Government of Papua New Guinea’s efforts in addressing the COVID-19 driven economic shocks on the formal and informal economy.

UNCDF Country Lead, Jagdeep Dahiya said “the Fund seeks to support the development of digital and financial literacy solutions targeting women-led MSMEs and women entrepreneurs to enhance their financial management and business skills in the country. We expect over 4,000 women entrepreneurs to benefit from these trainings before the end of 2022.”

Jagdeep added that “the four awardees are expected to contribute at least 20% of the total project cost (such technical resources, staff, and operational expenses) so they have a better grasp of the digital and financial literacy to improve their business and financial management capacities through appropriate market-based business development services.”

This is part of a joint initiative of UNDP and UNCDF under the UNDP Rapid Finance Facility for COVID-19 Response and will also include an Access to Finance for women entrepreneur’s component to making digital financial services available to businesswomen of Papua New Guinea in the informal and formal sector.

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Members of the House of Representatives attend training on the Sustainable Development Goals

Thirty-one Honourable Members of the Bougainville House of Representatives and officers of the House of Representatives participated in a three-day seminar on “Integrating SDGs, human rights and gender equality into the work of Regional Committees” recently.

Facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, the seminar aims to train Members on a range of regional development frameworks and issues, in order to inform the outreach work done by the three House of Representative Committees in 2022.

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Velea Vagi aspires to have a long career with UNDP

Velea Vagi, Programme Analyst, UNDP Papua New Guinea.

“I aspire to serve UNDP abroad one day,” says the ever-ambitious Mr. Velea Vagi, Programme Analyst for the Governance Portfolio of the UNDP Papua New Guinea Country Office.

As a Programme Analyst, Mr. Vagi’s key tasks include the coordination and oversight role for all projects under the portfolio, to ensure project outcomes are delivered as intended whilst focusing and maintaining UNDP ethical project and programme management practices.

His job, in a way, suits Velea because of his interest in understanding people, culture, religion and politics piqued at a young age.

“I loved reading and researching topics in religion, history and politics. This interest led me to take up Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Papua New Guinea. My motivation now is to continue serving UNDP so that I can make a difference in maintaining global peace.”

Being part of the UNDP team is something he is proud of adding that UNDP has provided and continue to support the Government of Papua New Guinea in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and especially the importance of gender equality.

“Gender equality to me, is not just about women empowerment. It is about providing and creating an equal playing field for all human beings to live and realize their potential. Gender equality, therefore, is an issue of equity (inequality in opportunities) and requires a systematic approach to addressing it in the country,” he said.

Velea is from Central Province and spent most of his life in Port Moresby. He says he’s fortunate to travel to most parts of Papua New Guinea.

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