Digicel PNG Foundation and UNICEF are pleased to announce the partnership with Institute of National Affairs (INA) and CIMC’s - Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC) to roll out Family Support Centres in the provincial hospitals, which the National Department of Health has recognized as a way to contribute to addressing the issues of Gender-based violence cases that are reported daily and are an endemic problem within our communities.

 FSVAC, working with the local committees and partners, have so far established five operational Family Support Centres (FSC) around the country; Angau Hospital, Port Moresby General Hospital, Mt. Hagen General Hospital, Kundiawa and Alotau hospitals. Furthermore, CIMC/FSVAC negotiated and signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) for FSCs to be included within 17 Hospitals, Provincial and sub-health centres, some of which will be opened immediately. Dr. Clement Malau, Secretary for NDOH and his team are supporting this initiative actively by developing the qualitative Operational and Clinical Guideline for the FSCs. 

Paul Barker, Director for the Institute of National Affairs, said that he applauds Digicel Foundation and UNICEF for their continued funding support in ensuring services such as Family Support Centres and Safe Hauses are provided for victims and survivors of gender-based violence, “Violence against Women and Children can only be addressed through a nationwide campaign, involving stakeholders, including both male and female leaders from the public and private sectors and the community, banding together to drive out such violence, which destroys so many lives, notably of victims but even the perpetrators themselves”, 

UNICEF Representative, Dr. Bertrand Desmoulins said: “UNICEF is delighted to confirm its ongoing commitment to the establishment and operation of Family Support Centres across the country. We are proud to partner with the CIMC-FSVAC and the Digicel Foundation, both of whom have shown outstanding leadership and commitment to women and children in Papua New Guinea. Together, we will continue working to ensure that women and children experiencing family and sexual violence can access a ‘one-stop shop’ service providing a comprehensive package of medical, legal, psychosocial and case management support”.

 John Mangos, Board member of the Digicel Foundation and Digicel PNG CEO said: “We are very proud to be partnering with UNICEF and CIMC to support the funding of Family Support Centres and Meri Seif Hauses across PNG. The Digicel Foundation aims to assist the groups in our society who are vulnerable and in need of support, such as women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Through this partnership many of these women and children will be given much needed shelter and professional guidance which will encourage them and their partners to enjoy a better life”. The Digicel PNG Foundation is a non-profit organisation which was established by Digicel in Papua New Guinea in October 2008. The Digicel Foundation distributes and utilises funds on a charitable basis for the sole purpose of building communities and community spirit in PNG.

 The Digicel Foundation and UNICEF have already co-funded Family Support Centres (FSC) at Maprik Health Centre in East Sepik, Kerowagi Health Centre in Simbu Province and Minj Health Centre in Jiwaka Province, together with FSVAC. The Maprik FSC will be opened in early March 2010. By improving infrastructure in the areas of basic education and family support, the Digicel Foundation and UNICEF are striving to assist the Government and civil society organisations to empower communities to protect women and children, which will in turn enable them to develop a positive outlook for their future.