THE Australia government is looking at assisting PNG government with a sum of AUD$52million (K142 million) to help the country recover from Covid-19 pandemic.
The K142 million targeted financing will be to support the continuing delivery of Health and Education in the country.
This was announced by Australia’s Senator Morise Payne, Minister for foreign Affairs and Senator Zed Seselja Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
The financing is part of Australia’s $304.7 million (K832 million) Pacific Covid-19 Response Package announced in 2020 Federal Budget to help the Pacific and Timor-Leste manage the economic and fiscal consequences of Covid-19.
The financial assistance when received by the Government of PNG will be used in Health sector particularly the faith based organizations in financing the primary health care. While in education it will be used to assist in the cost of PNG government Tuition Fee Free policy for primary schools.
Moreover Australian Government is working in partnership with PNG government to help the country recover from the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s health, education and the social system.
Australia will also assist PNG with procurement and delivery of doses by providing additional AUD$144.7 million (K395.02m) through its Regional Vaccine Access Initiative.
This has seen Australia assisting PNG in its vaccination campaign establishing a vaccination clinic in National Capital District where frontline health workers received basic training about vaccination.
Through this development partners, the Australian government is working together with PNG national government to protect mutual interest and to build a healthy, safe and prosperous region.