04/08/2022
As I greet the day, I am praying for our national friends and co-workers here in PNG🇵🇬. Please pray with us for peace. The following is a statement released by our organization:
Papua New Guinea is conducting national elections, which take place every five years. Election-related violence has occurred in several parts of Papua New Guinea in recent weeks. SIL-PNG has monitored these situations, alerted staff, and adjusted plans as necessary.
One of the locations where election-related violence has occurred is in the Aiyura Valley, near SIL-PNG’s Ukarumpa centre. On 3 August, fighting broke out in the Valley, and continued on 4 August, affecting some of SIL-PNG’s operations. Staff working in areas of risk nearby were recalled to the Ukarumpa centre, which is currently safe, though staff are on alert.
Fighting has included the burning of houses in villages near the Ukarumpa centre and may have affected the families of local staff. SIL-PNG department managers are caring for the concerns of their staff on a case-by-case basis.
PNG Defense Forces, police, and local churches are working to stop the fighting.
SIL-PNG encourages all involved to resolve their differences legally and peacefully. Going forward, SIL-PNG will continue to monitor the local and national situation, and will adjust operations as needed to ensure the safety of staff throughout PNG.
