Humanitarian Situation Report Number 5
On 14 June, violence erupted in Mendi, the provincial capital town of Southern Highlands Province. An aircraft and its cargo contents (including vaccines destined for Hela Province) were destroyed and government buildings were burnt.
Highlights
• On 18 June, a nine-month state of emergency was declared for the Southern Highlands due to increased outbreaks of violence which has led to a destruction of infrastructure and several thousand people being affected. UNICEF and partner agencies continue to provide assistance in accessible areas.
• On 26 June, the National Executive Council declared a Public Health Emergency in Morobe, as well as for neighbouring Madang and Eastern Highlands Provinces. WHO, UNICEF and other global polio eradication partners have mobilized to support the National Department of Health.
• Planning for the second round of integrated maternal and child health campaigns in several districts has commenced. Integrated maternal and child health campaigns greatly increase the number of children and women vaccinated, children screened and referred for malnutrition treatment, receiving doses of Vitamin A, de-worming tablets, and health and hygiene messaging.
• UNICEF has conducted a review of its implementation to date, which highlighted that UNICEF has already reached 13 Local Level Governance (LLG) areas (compared to the seven in the planning).
• During the reporting period, generous funding support was received from Education Can’t Wait for a Go to School Campaign; as well as from donor countries for activities in health, nutrition and WASH.