Newcrest Mining Limited recognises the critical role that partnerships play in delivering sustainable outcomes in Papua New Guinea. Since the establishment of its K20 million Community Support Fund (CSF), Newcrest has assisted host communities in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic through partnerships with all levels of Government and major donors.
Our relationships with national, provincial and community partners have supported the delivery of much needed assistance to our communities and frontline workers on the ground.
To date, approximately K7 million has been disbursed under the Community Support Fund. Newcrest recognises that the impact of COVID-19 is likely to be long term. We are making sure we pace the funding for initiatives to address emerging needs as the pandemic evolves.
“Partnerships are essential for our K20 million Community Support Fund, through which we are seeking to do our bit to help Papua New Guinea in this time of need,” said Newcrest Chief Operating Officer (PNG) Craig Jones.
Since the Fund was established earlier this year, Newcrest has strengthened relationships with UNICEF, Australian Doctors International (ADI), St John Ambulance and the Provincial Health Authorities. Through these collaborations, essential medical supplies, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) have been distributed to frontline health workers and communities in New Ireland, East New Britain, Morobe and the National Capital District.
At the national level, Newcrest has contributed K1.2 million to UNICEF to provide frontline workers with essential PPE across all 22 provinces. An additional K1.1 million will fund life-saving ventilator equipment for the country’s two largest hospitals in Port Moresby General Hospital and ANGAU General hospital in Lae, Morobe Province.
The Company recently committed K460,000 to St John Ambulance to provide critical training for ambulance officers in order to meet the high demand for first responder services in NCD, Morobe and East New Britain. This means St John can recruit and train 10 professional ambulance officers for Morobe.
This complements the commitment made by Lae Open Member Hon. John Rosso MP, the Lae City Authority, Morobe Provincial Health Authority and the PNG-Australia Partnership towards the establishment of St John services in Morobe Province.
On Lihir, Newcrest is working in close partnership with the Nimamar Local level Government (NLLG). Through a co-funding agreement, Newcrest and NLLG are renovating and upgrading nine local aid posts and two community health centres, and providing essential medical supplies and equipment to these facilities. This will ensure that the local communities of Lihir have ongoing access to quality health care services.
