Celebrating with our partners in PNG

Today we join our partners in Papua New Guinea as they mark 50 years since gaining independence in 1975 – what an incredible milestone!

Over the past five decades, PNG has worked tirelessly to improve life for its people, 86% of whom live in remote and often hard-to-reach communities scattered across this beautiful, mountainous country.

But challenges remain. Around 15% of the population (1.5–1.8 million people) live with some form of disability – and sadly, they are among the most excluded and discriminated against. That’s why we are so encouraged by the progress being made:

• In 2013, PNG ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
• A National Disability Policy is in place.
• And this October, the National Department of Health will host its first-ever workshop on integrating disability rehabilitation into primary health care!

cbm NZ is proud to walk alongside our partners – Catholic Church Health Services, the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, and Callan Inclusive Education Resource Centres – as together we expand access to disability-inclusive health and education services, even in some of the most remote areas.

This work isn’t easy – the terrain is rugged, the communities widespread – but real progress is happening.

A huge thank you also to our Government’s Aotearoa New Zealand International Development Cooperation Programme, whose support means every $1 you give is multiplied by 5, bringing life-changing health and education services to people with disabilities in PNG.