Children in Papua New Guinea (PNG) face many challenges that put their health, safety and futures at risk.
Across PNG, many families – especially those living in rural and remote communities – struggle to access basic services like health care, clean water, nutrition and education. More than half of all children under five are malnourished, while violence is a daily reality for many, leaving children feeling unsafe in their homes and communities. Access to education is also limited, with children completing fewer than five years of schooling on average.
Alongside our partners, UNICEF delivers lifesaving support and works to strengthen essential services for children and families. This includes improving access to health care and nutrition, supporting immunisation programs, expanding safe water and sanitation, strengthening education, and protecting children from harm. But we need your help to do more, so every child in PNG has the chance to survive, grow and thrive.
47%
Only 47 per cent of children are fully immunised by age five.
1 in 2
children progress from primary school to high school.
Stopping polio in its tracks
After 25 years without polio, PNG confirmed the detection of poliovirus in 2025. Gaps in routine immunisation had left many children vulnerable, triggering a national emergency response to protect children across the country.
Reaching every child is not simple in a place shaped by mountains, dense rainforest, and scattered islands. During the wet season, flooded roads and landslides can cut off entire communities, while long distances make it harder to keep vaccines at safe temperatures. Working alongside partners, UNICEF helped ensure polio vaccines reached health facilities across PNG, so all children could be protected.
As the world’s largest buyer of vaccines, UNICEF vaccinates almost half of the world's children under five each year. When outbreaks occur, UNICEF leads rapid immunisation campaigns to stop disease from spreading and keep children safe.
How will my donation help children in PNG?
Although Papua New Guinea continues to face many challenges, UNICEF relies on the generosity and commitment of donors like you to deliver emergency support and long-term development programs for every child.
- $90 could provide over 18,800 water purification tablets, each able to create up to five litres of clean drinking water.
- $137 could provide exercise books and pencils for 57 children, so they can continue their education.
- $186 could help provide 615 doses of polio vaccine, providing children with a lifetime of protection.
- 78¢on average, 78 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went directly to helping children in need, including long-term programs, emergency response and community education.
- 15¢on average, 15 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went to essential fundraising costs that helped us generate more impact for children.
- 7¢on average, 7 cents to every dollar spent for the past three years went towards our admin costs, such as keeping your personal data safe.
How do we use each dollar donated?
Help children in Papua New Guinea
UNICEF is working in Papua New Guinea to deliver lifesaving support and strengthen essential services for children and families.