Yumi wok bung wantaim (We work together): The status of communication, community engagement, and accountability in humanitarian action in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, a country of diverse cultures and social values, and distinct tribal boundaries, presents unique humanitarian challenges, which are heightened in the absence of systematic communication, community engagement and accountability (CCEA) approaches. There is a tendency for response efforts to be pushed through with minimal community engagement, and this can lead to ‘tick-box’ approaches that can have minimal impact on people’s lives. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and CDAC Network have undertaken this scoping study on the status of CCEA towards affected populations in Papua New Guinea, to provide recommendations for a strengthened and more inclusive CCEA system. Stakeholder consultations involved key response organizations, government departments and line agencies at national, subnational and community levels.

The study acknowledges the efforts of government and non-government actors in disaster preparedness and response programmes at the national and subnational levels, however, there remain unique CCEA challenges, especially at subnational levels, that require concerted effort by all agencies to ensure a more systematic and consistent approach to CCEA. The study further acknowledges that community engagement should be a key part of nationally led disaster preparedness and response. Inter-agency coordination and collaborative efforts at subnational levels remain weak due to constant changes in key government administrative roles. Non-government actors are not providing alternate leadership to ensure interagency forums are active at subnational levels; they rely heavily on the provincial administration.