A multi-stakeholder approach to address water and sanitation challenges in underserved settlements in PNG

From June 19th to June 23rd, 2023, Dr. Benny Rousso, representing the International Water Centre (IWC), visited Port Moresby to advance the Climate-resilient and inclusive WASH project in unserved urban settlements in the Melanesian Pacific region. The project, funded by the Water for Women fund (Australian Department of Foreign Affairs), aims to understand different water and sanitation delivery models’ effectiveness in terms of climate resilience and inclusivity in underserved settlements.

During the visit, Dr. Rousso met with partners from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), Dr. Linus Digm’Rina and Mt. Elias Mamosha, and Papua New Guinea WaterAid, represented by Mr. Donald Kanini. The discussions centered around mapping and selecting relevant settlements and stakeholders in Port Moresby, as well as strategies for data collection within the communities.

Additionally, the team conducted a site visit to Pari, a traditional indigenous settlement where water and sanitation services have been insufficiently planned due to customary law practices. To address this issue, WaterAid will trial a water delivery model involving the establishment of water kiosks, supported by local leaders to regulate water usage. With most of the necessary infrastructure already in place, the trial will commence once the local water utility, WaterPNG, begins supplying water to the kiosks within Pari.

The activities undertaken during the visit are essential in understanding the unique circumstances of each settlement in Port Moresby. This knowledge will inform tailored strategies, interventions, and resource allocation for data collection, ensuring the project’s effectiveness.

The collaboration between the IWC, UPNG, and WaterAid reflects a multi-stakeholder approach to address water and sanitation challenges in underserved settlements. By leveraging local knowledge, academic expertise, and community engagement, the project aims to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions that can be replicated across the Melanesian Pacific region. Additionally, the project seeks to build local capacity and promote decolonization practices.