USAID helps Bouganville move forward

 THE development office for the United States AID in PNG says it will assist the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

 The programmes are very broad and focus to strengthen the resilience of the political, environmental, social and cultural aspects, the USAID director for the Regional Pacific Islands (RPI) G Mauries Knight said.

“Resilience means the ability to withstand shock that affects people’s livelihood.” 

He said during an ABG forum in Port Moresby yesterday that USAID would work with ABG president Dr John Momis.

He said the president wanted to empower people and ensure implementation of the ABG peace agreement which was a challenge to work with. 

Knight said he hoped to establish a link with the strategic document themes such as the Bougainville Peace Agreement and with the National Coordination Office of Bougainville Affairs.

US Ambassador Walter North said it would assist with important issues concerning women’s participation and justice and peace reconciliation because the society moved ahead with women.

North said it would look at other programmes such as trauma counselling, working with victims of gender-based violence and peace reconciliation.