PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (The National, May 7, 2008) – The Australian government will rebuild two schools destroyed by floods in Oro province last year.

Lives were lost, vital roads and bridges damaged and crops destroyed in the floods that swept through the province last November.

[PIR editor’s note: Oro Province, formerly (and officially still) Northern Province, is a coastal province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Popondetta. The province covers 22,800 km², and has 133,065 inhabitants (2000 census). The northern end of the Kokoda Trail terminates at the village of Kokoda in the province and the active volcano Mount Lamington. Once the Kokoda Trail was taken and provided access from Port Moresby to the hinterland during the Second World War, the coast of the then Northern District was also the scene of heavy fighting; the Buna, Gona and Sanananda campaigns are particularly well remembered. ]

The Australian government responded by providing food, water, shelter and medical supplies. It has also committed itself to assist rebuilding Oro in the long term.

Head of AusAID in PNG Margaret Thomas said the rebuilding of Harange and Eroro primary schools confirms Australia’s commitment to supporting the ongoing rehabilitation of the Oro province.

"We are pleased to make this important contribution to the people of Oro. An important aspect of getting the community back on its feet will be to ensure its children have access to appropriate learning opportunities," Ms Thomas said.

The schools will be constructed using the people and programmes already on the ground in Oro.

Ms Thomas said each new school will include three double classrooms, a library, three teachers’ houses, toilets, water tanks and furniture kits.

The Department of Education will provide books for the libraries.

Eighty-nine schools were damaged during the floods.

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