Papua New Guinea Country Report

The political situation in Papua New Guinea is fluid, with a high turnover of leadership and government coalitions and elections often being marred by violence and allegations of fraud. The separatist conflict in Bougainville has largely come to an end, although there is potential for violence going forward related to a planned referendum on independence in 2019. Other areas of the country, particularly the Highlands region and provinces of Hela and Enga, are also prone to outbreaks of communal violence and instability persists along the porous border with Indonesia, with multiple rebel groups fighting for the independence of Indonesia's Papua province operating across the border.

Crime is prevalent across the country and poses a serious threat to foreign travelers. Petty theft is most common but violent crime also occurs with some frequency, particularly in urban areas such as Port Moresby, Lae and Mount Hagen. Carjackings, sexual assaults and violent robberies are relatively common in poorer areas of the country's major urban centers and assailants are often armed with firearms or bush knives. Some roads leading in and out of Port Moresby and other urban centers are particularly dangerous and see regular carjackings or attacks on vehicles.

Protests occur periodically over various socio-economic, environmental and political issues and can quickly escalate into violence, with rioting and looting occurring with some frequency in informal settlements on the outskirts of urban centers. Unrest in remote areas linked to political, communal or labor issues can be particularly violent and have a prolonged impact on travel and operations in the region. Industrial action is also common and can cause disruption to services.

Corruption is a significant concern in the government and police force, and travelers may encounter requests for facilitation payments or fines for unclear offenses. Overland travel, particularly outside of major urban centers, can be hazardous due to poorly maintained roads and erratic driving by some local road users. Road traffic collisions are frequent and the country has a relatively high rate of road traffic fatalities. This overland travel risk is often exacerbated by environmental factors including natural disasters, with areas of Papua New Guinea being susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Papua New Guinea's rainy season occurs between October and May and floods and landslides frequently occur during this period following heavy downpours.

Medical facilities are extremely limited outside of Port Moresby and evacuation to Australia may be required in the case of significant injuries or more complicated medical cases. The presence of a number of communicable diseases increases Papua New Guinea's health risk environment, with malaria, zika, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and tuberculosis all posing a risk to travelers in the country. Outbreaks of polio have also occurred periodically, particularly in remote areas, and food and water-borne diseases are common.

Levels of violent and petty crime are high across many areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG), including in major urban centers, and pose a significant threat to foreign travelers and expatriates in the country. Criminals often demonstrate a propensity for violence and armed robberies are common. Traveling at night is particularly dangerous and carjackings occur with some frequency throughout the country, including around Port Moresby. There is also a significant risk of sexual assault and foreign travelers have been targeted in the past.

A latent conflict risk remains on the island of Bougainville, where the core grievances of a decades-long succession struggle have the potential to reignite violence. Instability also persists along the porous border with Indonesia, with multiple rebel groups fighting for the independence of Indonesia's Papua province operating across the border.

Protests occur with some frequency in PNG, driven by a wide range of socio-economic, political and communal grievances. Demonstrators and responding security forces often have a propensity to resort to violence, with clashes and rioting frequently breaking out. Whilst most protests in Port Moresby and other major urban centers rarely last more than a few days, unrest in rural areas can continue sporadically for weeks or even months. Violent unrest can result in significant property damage and disruption of commercial activity and transport services. The Highlands region and provinces of Hela and Enga, are particularly prone to outbreaks of communal violence and prolonged unrest.

Overland travel in Papua New Guinea is considered hazardous due to the country's poorly-maintained and largely unpaved road network, dangerous driving by some local road users and the threat of armed banditry.

Commercial air travel is utilized extensively for internal travel, although there are a number of safety concerns stemming from extreme weather conditions, challenging terrain and the condition of airfields in remote areas of the country.

Power outages occur periodically and can affect large areas of the country, particularly those outside of city centers. Service delivery is limited outside of urban centers and communications infrastructure generally only extends to major towns and cities.

Papua New Guinea is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country experiences significant seismic activity and has several active volcanoes, mainly in Rabaul, Bougainville, West New Britain and Manam Island, which can cause evacuations and air travel disruption during eruptions. Strong earthquakes occur with some frequency in the country and its surrounding waters. Many of these earthquakes cause minimal damage and disruption but major earthquakes in rural areas can devastate remote communities and mining sites.

The country's wet season is between October and May and floods, landslides occur regularly during this period due to heavy downpours and can cause significant overland travel disruption. The country can also be affected by storm systems during the cyclone season between November and April.

Some areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay and Rabaul, continue to suffer from unexploded ordnance contamination.

Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea are limited and some remote areas may be several days travel away from medical assistance. The country's main medical facility is the Port Moresby General Hospital, which is generally adequate for routine procedures and minor injuries. However, more serious injuries or medical cases are likely to necessitate evacuation to Australia. Malaria is widespread throughout the country and chikungunya and dengue fever outbreaks are relatively common. Tuberculosis is widespread in Papua New Guinea and drug-resistant strains have been reported in Western Province and Port Moresby. Pharmaceutical shortages are also common and availability is extremely limited outside of major urban centers.

Political stability has long been an issue in Papua New Guinea due to the country's incredibly diverse ethnic make-up and challenging geography as well as the fluidity of political allegiances. Government control is limited outside of the main urban centers and resource-rich areas. Maintaining law and order is a challenge for the underfunded and undertrained security forces, with tribal groups often better armed than law enforcement personnel attempting to maintain order or protect remote mining sites. Corruption is endemic in the country, affecting all levels of government and the bureaucracy.