Australia’s partnership with Papua New Guinea continues to deliver essential services to some of the country’s most remote communities.
The MV Islander has embarked on over 100 trips to South Fly District in Western Province since 2021, the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby said in a statement.
It said the vessel will first stop off in Daru with medical and other supplies for Australian partners Burnet and Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in partnership with the Western Provincial Health Authority.
“It will then travel to Mabudawan with supplies for South Fly Community rangers. Next the Islander will travel to the Morehead Development Hub with construction materials and seeds for farmers”
“For the last five years, the MV Islander has been a workhorse for the PNG–Australia Partnership. It has delivered medicines for Daru and Mabudawan Hospitals; water security infrastructure; materials for community infrastructure and economic grants in remote communities; education materials; household solar lights; and agriculture materials such as seedlings and tools for local farmers.
“The Islander has also supported the Western Provincial Government with transporting materials for disaster responses and elections.”
Recent voyages have supported the Morehead Development Hub, a major K18 million infrastructure investment under the PNG–Australia Western Province Strategy.
The 17-hectare facility includes classrooms, accommodation, training and conference spaces, and serves as a base for agricultural training, food and water security initiatives, community grants and other development activities.
“We look forward to many more years of service with the MV Islander, and the service it provides to the people of Western Province.”