The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Government (GoPNG) has formally launched the Community Peace for Development Plan (CPDP), in Hela Province.

IOM worked closely with local churches and groups in the Paipeli community to successfully launch Paipeli’s CPDP on 7 November 2023.

The CPDP integrates peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.  

The plan was developed and launched with financial assistance from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UN PBF) and is a direct result of IOM-led training, inclusive community-level planning, and community wide discussions. These discussions included inputs from women, youth, partners, and local authorities (provincial, district and local level).

Lord Mayor for Tari Uban Local Level Government, Honourable Andaja Jali thanked UN PBF and IOM for the initiative to promote peace, address hazard risks and empower women and youth to tackle man-made and natural hazard risks that threaten peace.

“Paipeli was a thriving community over a decade ago, but the past few years of conflict destroyed several properties and affected many people. You have enkindled hope for this community. This project has empowered women, men and youth of Paipeli for the betterment of their community,” he said.

He commended Paipeli community members for developing the plan and enforcing children’s rights to education at a community level, through the construction of an elementary school classroom block in Paipeli.

“Violence in pockets of Hela province at times resulted in children missing school owing to security reasons. This is the one of the reasons why the community decided to build this classroom block under the IOM’s supported CPDP priority interventions,” said a woman leader, Mary Tapo during the launch of the plan and opening of the elementary school block constructed under the project.

“We used to worry about the safety of our children when they walk to school. Mothers would occasionally take the children to school further putting themselves at risk of violence especially during tribal fighting times in the province. Worrying about our children’s safety when attending school is now a thing of the past,” she added.

Jukari Tawai, Chairperson of the Paipeli Ward Committee highlighted the community’s continued collaboration with the Hela Provincial Education Office to strengthen support for children’s learning in a safe and peaceful environment. “The CPDP is a huge millstone for the community. It will help to promote community resilience and peace,” he highlighted.

The project also supported Paipeli with the building of a rainwater catchment to improve community water security. The water catchment will improve storage and access to safe drinking water during times of water stress and natural hazards such as drought.

The water supply intervention will also help reduce tensions and risk of conflict that result from water shortage.

The launch of the Paipeli community plan was attended by over 300 people, including Paipeli community members, government, churches, and community service organizations. The Hela Provincial Community Development Officer and Tari Town Manager also attended.

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For further information, please contact at IOM Port Moresby, Peter Murorera, Tel: +675 4 3213655 Email: pmurorera@iom.int or Mohamud Omer, Tel: +675 321 36 55, Email: moomer@iom.int