Clean hands against COVID-19: handwashing stations and water tanks for PNG

As part of the Australian Humanitarian Partnership’s COVID-19 response in Papua New Guinea (PNG), partner NGOs have been rolling out a range of initiatives to communities across the country to increase awareness and understanding of the virus, and to reduce its spread.

In many communities, improving access to clean water and handwashing facilities has been a key part of the response, particularly for crowded areas and schools. Some partners have combined the installation of these facilities with community education programs and outreach to encourage healthy habits.

Here we share three of these water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, in Goroka, Kerowagi and Kiunga.

Above: A water tank installed at the Goroka Chamber of Commerce to supply taps at the town’s main bus station. Photo: Douglas Diave/CARE PNG.

Goroka, Eastern Highlands

Goroka’s community water facilities are being upgraded through an agreement between AHP partner CARE International in PNG, the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority and the Goroka Town Authority.

The upgrades are being funded by the Australian Government through the AHP COVID-19 response, and will ensure that basic handwashing facilities are available at critical points in the town. The facilities are being installed in market areas, health centres, schools and at bus stops.

While the main goal of the facilities is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, they will also allow better access to water for the public during the region’s dry season.

A water tank has already been installed at the Goroka Chamber of Commerce to supply taps for the city’s main bus station, and taps are in place at schools such as Ufeto Christian Academy.

Above: Supplies for rainwater catchment systems are unloaded. Photo: Shedrick Diou/Oxfam PNG

Kerowagi, Simbu

In Simbu, AHP partner Oxfam has been supporting the construction of rainwater catchment tanks and plumbing in Kerowagi district, overseen by community WASH Committees. The projects have utilised local carpenters and plumbers from the community to support the construction, with organising committees providing in-kind assistance to support the builds.

Oxfam’s WASH technical team conducted training for those involved on building the rainwater catchment systems, the specifications, how community members should manage and repair the systems to keep them running, and how to disinfect the water for safe use and consumption.

So far, 13 water tanks, each holding 9000 litres, have been transported to the area from Jiwaka. After a demonstration is completed by the technical team, community members will install the remaining 12 tanks.

Above: Students using the handwashing stations at Saint Bridgette Elementary School. Photo: Save the Children

Kiunga, Western Province

Students at Kiunga’s Saint Bridgette Elementary School can continue to stay healthy using handwashing stations set up by AHP partner Save the Children.

Located within the church grounds, the handwashing stations will serve students at the school as well as the wider congregation.

Head Teacher Ms Joycelyn Amena said the handwashing station, along with donations of soap and cleaning products, were being constantly used by the school’s seventy-two students and two teachers.

“It’s pleasing to see that students are coming to wash their hands before they eat or after they use the toilet and the teachers are also using it,” Ms Amena said.

Save the Children’s water, sanitation, and hygiene activities under the COVID-19 response are being implemented in Western, Morobe and Eastern Highlands provinces.

The PNG COVID-19 response is supported by the Australian Government, and implemented through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership.