Most of the population of Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea live a traditional lifestyle.  Many are living below the poverty line with few opportunities for employment or enterprise. Poor health hinders people’s livelihood with water borne diseases such as diahorrea and skin disease rife. This is because only 32% of the population have access to ‘improved’ water supplies. Water collecting remains largely the responsibility of women and children who walk long distances to collect from wells, springs and rivers. Furthermore, the lack of education within communities regarding sanitation and hygiene contributes to illness and mortality.

The Rural Village Water Project aims to improve family and overall community health and productivity by providing access to a safe water supply. By reducing the time taken to access clean water women are able to contribute to the sustainable development of their community.
Access to clean water is provided to villages through pipelines to taps, seesaw pumps, hand pumps, electric pumps and petrol pumps and reticulated water supplies to taps in the villages. Workshops and training are also provided to the community to raise awareness of hygeiene, sanitation and health.  The objective of this project is to assist in reducing the level of poverty in selected villages through the provision of safe, sustainable water supplies.

To download a project information click here.