Australia is supporting its Pacific and Timor-Leste partners as we work together to recover as a region from the health, economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In further steps towards recovery, Australia will provide an additional $52 million in targeted financing to assist our partners in the Government of Papua New Guinea’s response to COVID-19, supporting continued delivery of critical health and education services to Papua New Guineans.
In the health sector, this will assist faith-based organisations to provide accessible primary health care. In the education sector, it will help finance the cost of Papua New Guinea government tuition for primary school children.
The financing is part of Australia’s $304.7 million Pacific COVID-19 Response Package announced in last year’s Federal Budget to help our Pacific and Timor-Leste partners to manage the economic and fiscal shocks of COVID-19, and to maintain critical social services.
Today’s announcement adds to Australia’s comprehensive assistance to help Papua New Guinea respond to the economic, health and social consequences of COVID-19.
Australia is providing end-to-end support in partnership with Papua New Guinea’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Australia has also established a vaccination clinic in the National Capital District, where healthcare and essential workers receive vaccines and basic training. Australia is assisting Papua New Guinea with the procurement and delivery of doses by providing a further $144.7 million through our Regional Vaccine Access Initiative.
Through our development partnership with Papua New Guinea, we are working together with our closest neighbour to protect our mutual interests in a healthy, safe and prosperous region.
