The International Committee of the Red Cross has reached an agreement with authorities in Papua New Guinea to establish a community health post in Southern Highlands Province.
The ICRC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Southern Highlands provincial government and the Provincial Health Authority.
The health post, to be located in the remote village of Kalolo in Kagua Erave District, is to provide primary health care for over 20,000 people in an area affected by tribal violence.
The Provincial Health Authority says 17 of the 24 health posts in the district have closed in the past 15 years, many of them deliberately targeted by fighting
Currently there are no health facilities in Kalolo.
The closest one is 20 kilometres away and, owing to poor road conditions, can only be reached after four hours of walking.
Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
