Throughout 2020, Femili PNG has been coordinating its response to COVID-19 with partners in government, NGOs and the community. With the nation-wide state of emergency declaration in March, there was wide recognition that the outbreak had the potential to be a crisis for survivors and victims experiencing gender-based, family, or sexual violence.
With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Femili PNG has been working to support FSV service providers, targeting those most at risk of both COVID-19 and FSV.
Femili PNG did this through two means: supporting partners such as community leaders, police, courts, welfare, and other NGOs assisting the vulnerable with COVID-19 prevention services, and supporting survivors directly with additional needs that may be necessary, including accomodation, medical assistance, or basic necessities.
Throughout the project, over 418 individuals and 53 partners were supported.
Femili PNG is grateful for the support of the UNDP in the assistance with the development and implementation of the project over the year.
From offices in Port Moresby and Lae, Femili PNG provided PPE to courts, health centres, and schools, as well as resourcing for disability services, HIV/Aids support services, and Buimo Prison.
Assisting safe houses was also a focus of the project, a key part of emergency response for FSV survivors. This included resourcing, as well as additional direct assistance for repatriation, livelihood support and medical assistance.
The services that Femili PNG coordinates for FSV survivors become more acutely critical in times of crisis, such as during a pandemic. Support from partners, donors, and stakeholders is a key reason why Femili PNG’s response over 2020 was effective, allowing survivors to be connected with essential services in a time of greater need.
Femili PNG posts regular updates on our work with partners on our Facebook page.
You can also find out more about the UNDP in PNG’s work on their website.
