CPNG to implement new climate change adaptation projects in Aitape and Vanimo

Aitape, WSP: Caritas PNG National Director met with St. Anna Elementary School

teachers in Aitape, West Sepik Province on the 23rd of August 2024.

St. Anna Elementary School located in St. Solanus Parish in Aitape Diocese was selected as

one of the project sites for the Community-Led Environmental Adaption and

Response (CLEAR) Programme which is a climate change adaptation programme targeting some of the most vulnerable and isolated communities in Papua New Guinea.

The purpose of the CLEAR Programme is to reduce vulnerability and increase the resilience of participants and their communities, as well as the natural environment, to current and anticipated impacts of climate change.

During the meeting, Ms. Tito mentioned that the project is supported by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand to be implemented by Caritas PNG in two dioceses in PNG: Vanimo and Aitape diocese. Following this, the CPNG team then carried out a baseline survey with teachers of the school.

The initial consultation marks the begining of activities which for St Anna, will focus on improving water supply and management to help alleviate shortages faced during the dry season, where students have to bring their own water to school in containers. Present during the meeting was the Head teacher Mrs. Angella Biar and two other teaching staff along with Aitape Diocese Child Protection Officer, Ms. Leonie Abel who accompanied the Caritas team.

St Anna is the only urban and school site in the CLEAR Programme in PNG. Four other project sites include rural community sites located in Lumi and Nuku Districts in Aitape Diocese and two from the Vanimo-Green District in Vanimo Diocese. Consultation and baseline activities for each are scheduled for later this year.

CPNG Director, Mavis Tito and Aitape Diocese Child Protection Officer, Ms. Leonie Abel (pictured in foreground) meet with Head Teacher Ms. Angella Biar and teachers from St Anna's Elementary School.