S.Korea gives over K10mil to help stop tribal fights

THE South Korean government has given more than K10 million to support the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) to help quell conflicts and tribal fights in Hela and Southern Highlands.
According to UNDP, this was the first time partnership between South Korea and UNDP to support peace building in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands.
Ambassador Ho-Jeung Kang said he was pleased with the launch of the project in the Highlands as it would address conflict and tribal fighting and contribute to sustainable development.
He said it would also support peace solutions for people in the impacted communities and support United Nation efforts in peace-building.
UNDP resident representative Dirk Wagener said the partnership was an opportunity to work together, strengthen and enable conditions for peace in the Highlands.
“With the support of the Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), UNDP will work to implement peace-building intervention, to prevent further conflict and address existing issues,” he said.
Wagener said Koica’s investment would contribute toward achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals in the Highlands, support local aspirations for inclusive peace and also improve community excess to Government and State services.
He said they provided training for youths to be active agents in conflict prevention and mediation processes.
“We support them to find their own ways and their own tools to better address conflicts and we also look at supporting the village court system,” he said.
Hela Governor Philip Undialu said the best way to reduce conflicts and tribal fights was when the youths returned guns, picked up spades and engaged in agriculture.
He said grade 10 and 12 school leavers needed to be fitted into technical, vocational education training programmes and other educational opportunities.