In photos: Ronan and Storm Keating in Papua New Guinea

UNICEF Australia newest Ambassadors Ronan and Storm Keating, recently joined UNICEF to see our work first-hand in Papua New Guinea – Australia’s closest neighbour and a place close to their heart. 
 
For Storm, the journey was deeply personal. Born in Papua New Guinea, with family still living there, she has always felt a strong connection to the country. For Ronan, the visit was also a return –⁠ an opportunity to experience the place that has shaped so much of Storm’s story, and to meet the children and communities UNICEF supports every day. 
 
While important progress has been made in recent years, many children in Papua New Guinea still face significant challenges, particularly when it comes to access to healthcare, education and basic services.

During their visit, the couple met with families, teachers, health workers and community leaders, seeing first-hand how UNICEF programs are helping expand access to healthcare, early learning, clean water and parenting support.

Strengthening healthcare for mothers and babies 

One of the many places Ronan and Storm visited was a health centre in the Morobe Province, on PNG’s north-eastern coast, which provides vital healthcare, nutrition and immunisation services to families in surrounding rural communities. 
 
With UNICEF’s support, seven healthcare workers have been trained in Basic Obstetric Emergency Care, and the facility has received essential midwifery and newborn care equipment, including safe delivery kits, medicines and nutrition supplies. 

Early learning for a strong start 

Early childhood education supports children’s cognitive, social and emotional development. Yet across PNG, two in three children miss out on early learning opportunities. 
 
During their visit, Ronan and Storm visited an early childhood centre. In this rural community alone, around 250 children are within the early childhood age range, but access to services remains limited. 
 
Despite these challenges, the centre has been operating for seven years, supported strongly by parents and the local community who recognise the importance of giving children access to early childhood education.

Clean water and sanitation

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services remain a major challenge in PNG. Only 50 per cent of the population has access to basic water services, while just 20 per cent have access to basic sanitation. Through local partners, UNICEF has supported improved sanitation across the village. 

Supporting safer homes for children 

In PNG, 3 in 4 children experience violence during childhood - whether physical, emotional, sexual, at home, in school, or online.  
 
This is why UNICEF and partners developed the Parenting for Child Development (P4CD) program. The initiative supports parents and caregivers with positive parenting skills, helping reduce violence against children and gender-based violence. 

UNICEF and partners continue to deliver lifesaving support and works to strengthen essential services for children and families in PNG. 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 and thrive.