UNICEF Papua New Guinea

With over 80 % of the population living in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, access to health and nutrition services is challenging. That’s why the community nutrition actions are very important. With support from KOICA , 16 Village Health Assistants have been trained in Health and Nutrition in Rigo District, Central Province. On Wednesday 15th October 2025, our regional director, Ms.June Kunugi, met with VHAs in Boregaina, Rigo District, to hear their stories. “Currently, we are working in our own community” said Rabona Abe, a Village Health Assistant in Boregaina community. “Our role as VHAs involves promoting health and nutrition in the community. We provide preventive messages relating to healthy eating and behaviors, positive parenting, infant and young child feeding, and referral of health and nutrition cases to Boregaina Health Center for treatment and other support”. In PNG, one in every two children under five suffers from stunting and 16% from wasting due to malnutrition. We are calling on the government to immediately adopt the VHA policy, which will help ensure every child in Papua New Guinea grows up healthy. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) UNICEF East Asia and Pacific #Nutrition #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

Two drops, one mission💙 From remote schools to roadside settlements, these are the unsung heroes, the people behind the scenes of the polio immunization campaign. Health workers, churches and community mobilisers who are going the extra mile to protect every child. Their work is quiet, powerful, and life-saving. Read their story: https://lnkd.in/gjqzPUFb #EndPolio #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, June Kunugi wrapped up her visit to Papua New Guinea on Thursday 16th October last week. We are reminded once again that our children deserve to grow, live and learn in an environment where they have access to basic services like clean and safe water, sanitation and nutrition, proper health facilities and quality healthcare, quality education and are protected from harm. UNICEF remains committed to protecting the rights and futures of the children of Papua New Guinea in all our initiatives and programs that have been highlighted during Ms. Kunugi’s visit.   Let’s all work together to create safe and protected communities for our children.      UNICEF East Asia and Pacific #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

Polio is preventable — yet Papua New Guinea is facing an outbreak because too many children are not immunized. Every child under 10 is at risk.   From 13–31 October 2025, bring your child to the nearest health facility, school, or community health team for their polio immunization.   Immunization is safe, free, and effective. Together, we can protect every child from polio and build a healthier future for all.   Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) World Health Organization KSrelief Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade   #EndPolio #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

Immunization coverage in Papua New Guinea has plateaued below 50% for the past decade, leaving children at risk of life-threatening diseases and outbreaks – like the current resurgence of polio.   This must improve. And it is. Thanks to the support of the people of Japan and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, every health facility in Morobe Province now has a reliable cold chain system to safely store and deliver vaccines to nearly 32,500 children born every year.   On Friday 10th October, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, June Kunugi, visited the Morobe Vaccine Store to witness the life-saving tools in action.   “Routine immunization rates must go up because when they fall, poliovirus can spread, leading to polio outbreak. Immunization systems need to be well equipped and functioning", said Ms. Kunugi   Let's all work together to make sure our children are immunized and safe from diseases. #RoutineImmunization #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

Children are the cornerstones of society. Immunization not only protects them from diseases but also keeps them healthy. Cardinal Sir John Ribat shares a very important message with all of us about the importance of getting our children Immunized from the polio virus. Polio has no cure, but it can be prevented with the polio vaccine. The polio vaccine is safe and effective for all children. Join Cardinal Ribat, the Government, UNICEF and partners in making sure we reach all children in this second round of polio immunization campaign. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) World Health Organization KSrelief Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade #EndPolio #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea Veera Mendonca | Satish Gupta | Moumiita G Dastidar | UNICEF East Asia and Pacific

Papua New Guinea faces increasing risks from intensifying climate-related disasters like droughts and floods, to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tribal conflict, violence, and health emergencies. Each of these crises directly affects children’s health, safety and education. That’s why UNICEF and the National Office for Child and Family Services launched the Child Friendly Spaces Toolkit on Monday, 13th October – a national guide to help communities protect, support, and engage children in times of crisis. “This toolkit is not only for children affected by disasters, but also for those who face violence, neglect or life on the streets every day,” said Paula Vargas, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Papua New Guinea. “Child Friendly Spaces give them the chance to heal, play and feel safe.” “Child Friendly Spaces is a vital entry point for children who may have nowhere else to turn, providing emotional and psychological relief through guided play and storytelling,” said Mr. Jerry Wap, Acting Director for the National Office for Child and Family Services. “Beyond emotional support, they connect vulnerable children to essential services, legal aid, medical care, and counselling.” Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gihxM3N2 #ChildProtection #CFS #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea ChildFund International The Salvation Army PNG Links of Hope PNG United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) © UNICEF/UN0260314/Mepham

In Boregaina community, children and families' lives are increasingly being affected by severe droughts and floods because of climate change. Yesterday, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, Ms. June Kunugi, visited the KOICA-funded project in Boregaina to witness how the community is responding to climate challenges. “You are working on something that is so important--developing a working model of converging services of integrated and coordinated support for children,” said Ms Kunugi.  Boregaina is one of five target communities across Rigo where UNICEF, in partnership with Rigo District Administration and the Central Provincial Administration, is bringing climate-smart and more resilient clean water, sanitation, education, health, nutrition and child protection services to nearly 30,000 children.     Every child has the right to basic services and protection. Together, we can make it a reality.  #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

Every day, preventable diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, and polio threaten children’s health. But handwashing with soap is hands down one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to protect children against diseases. This #GlobalHandwashingDay, we call on the government to be #HandwashingHeroes - by investing in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Every K1 invested in WASH returns up to K4 in health, education, and productivity. Protecting children’s futures is in our hands - because clean hands keep opportunities within theirs. #CleanHands #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea

The Special Parliamentary Committee on Child and Youth Welfare, established in May this year— is already holding its first public inquiry. “This is the first time we are having this special inquiry. In doing so, parliament is reminding us that the next 50 years belong to our children. For them to have a better quality of life, to become more successful and transform themselves and our country, we must put effort and attention to their wellbeing”, said Governor Powes Parkop, chairman of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Child and Youth Welfare, yesterday at the inquiry.  UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific, June Kunugi, also joined the inquiry to hear how the Government of Papua New Guinea is prioritizing children and youths.   UNICEF continues to advocate for the inclusion and rights of the children and youth of Papua New Guinea at every decision-making table #ForEveryChild #PapuaNewGuinea UNICEF East Asia and Pacific June Kunugi | Veera Mendonca | Moumiita G Dastidar | Chiharu Kondo | Satish Gupta | Paula Vargas | Nirakar Joshi