Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Water and sanitation related diseases are one of the leading causes of death for children under five years in Papua New Guinea. Sadly, preventable illnesses resulting from inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene practices claim the lives of children daily. The economic impact of poor sanitation in the country is substantial with an annual loss of over US $7 million due to health complications and death. Over 76 percent of  people in Papua New Guinea lack access to safe toilets and 66 percent do not have access to clean drinking water.

Nearly half of primary schools in the country lack water supply and toilets. The absence of handwashing facilities, as a result, poses serious health risks for school children. 

Furthermore, adolescent girls face substantial obstacles in attending school due to the absence of adequate menstrual hygiene facilities in educational institutions.

There is a significant disparity between urban and rural areas in access to basic water supply, with only 45 percent of people in rural areas having access, compared to 90 percent in urban areas. This is particularly concerning as 87 percent of the total population live in remote areas.  Additionally, open defecation is a serious issue in Papua New Guinea, with 16 percent of households lacking access to a safe toilet. This problem is exacerbated by population growth outpacing the availability of new toilets.