In a strategic move to address the Papua New Guinea’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) challenges, the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM) through the WaSH Project Management Unit (PMU) launched two transformative initiatives.
These two initiatives are the UMBEN Platform and the Joint WaSH Sector Program Implementation and Monitoring Committee (JWSPIMC).
The dual launch brought together high-level government officials, development partners, and key sector stakeholders including WaterAid PNG and Australian High Commission, all united in their commitment to deliver better WaSH outcomes for every Papua New Guinean.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Takale Tuna, National WaSH Programs Coordinator with the WaSH Project Management Unit, described the UMBEN Platform as a “game-changer” in WaSH data collection and service delivery.
“Derived from the Tok Pisin word for “fishing net,” UMBEN symbolizes a system designed to “capture” vital data across all levels of government and sectors — from communities to health facilities and schools.
UMBEN is not just a technical upgrade. It represents a new way of doing business in the WaSH sector. It equips districts and provinces with real-time data for evidence-based planning, resource allocation, and accountability. It strengthens transparency and supports the development of District 5-Year WaSH Plans aligned with national priorities,” Mr. Tuna said.
Mr. Tuna said the platform was initially built on the WaSH Management Information System (MIS) introduced in 2019.
“With more than PGK1.5 million in funding from the Australian Water Partnership through WaterAid PNG, the system has since undergone a major transformation, making it more dynamic, user-friendly, and accessible to stakeholders across the country.
Complementing the platform, the JWSPIMC was launched as a formal coordination mechanism to align efforts across government departments and development partners. The Committee will report directly to the Departmental Heads & Agency Committee and be supported by the DNPM WaSH PMU as Secretariat,” he added.
Secretary for the Department of National Planning and Monitoring, Mr. Koney Samuel, emphasized the urgency and importance of these reforms.
Citing recent WHO/UNICEF data, he highlighted that only 42% of Papua New Guineans have access to basic drinking water, 19% have basic sanitation, and 28% still practice open defecation.
“These aren’t just statistics — they reflect the daily struggles of families and communities across our country. The UMBEN Platform allows us to plan from the bottom-up and monitor progress with precision. It ensures that every Kina we invest in WaSH goes where it’s needed most.”
The launch of the JWSPIMC aims to eliminate fragmentation and ensure that all stakeholders are “rowing in the same direction” toward common development goals,” Mr. Samuel said.
He said these efforts directly support targets under PNG’s Medium-Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027), which aims to increase rural water access from 48% to 70%, improve rural sanitation from 33% to 60%, and achieve 100% access to clean water in urban areas by 2027.
“They also reaffirm PNG’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 — universal access to clean water and sanitation,” Mr. Samuel added.