Papua New Guinea 2009 Crime and Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

East Asia / Pacific - Papua New Guinea
August 21 2009

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has an extremely high crime rate and incidents of violent crime are prevalent throughout the country. There is no evidence that Americans are specifically targeted by criminals. However the overall threat to expatriates as a whole is substantial.

Americans residing in PNG can expect to be exposed to a number of crime threats to include vehicle theft (carjacking), personal robberies, residential burglaries, home invasions, rape, and aggravated assault.

Safety

Road conditions throughout PNG are very uneven. Roads are generally good throughout most parts of Port Moresby, but are in dilapidated condition in the city of Lae and throughout the highlands highway. Travelers by road must be vigilant in inclement weather due to the propensity for landslides on the highlands highway. Since there is very little traffic enforcement, driving habits within the population are not comparable to western standards. Americans traveling by vehicle in PNG should always wear seatbelts, obtain specific information regarding road conditions, and be wary of various road hazards such as fallen trees, landslides, drunken/negligent drivers, and roadblocks manned by violent criminals.

Political Violence

Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975. Since that time, the country has struggled to piece together a cohesive society based on a national identity. In many respects, this goal has yet to be achieved.

Political violence in PNG is specific to issues surrounding political candidates and their supporters. Political races are fiercely contested and litigation over election results and procedures are not uncommon. Supporters of political candidates will engage in violent clashes with competing political groups. Much of the political alignment is based on tribal/ethnic affiliations called “wantoks.”

Civil unrest is common, often taking the form of tribal fighting. Virtually every part of the country has had incidents of this type of unrest with the majority of the incidents occurring in the highlands and in settlements located in urban areas. In other parts of the country, numerous persons have been killed and homes destroyed in a wide range of conflicts. No part of the country is immune and there have been more than two large conflicts in the Port Moresby National Capital District in the last year.

There is no information and no indicators that PNG has any type of significant terrorist threat at this time. Crime remains the single most critical threat to expatriates and citizens of the country.

Post-specific Concerns

Organized Crime

While no organized crime groups have been identified, there are indications that they are developing and street gangs are known to be active in urban areas of PNG. There has been an increased level of sophistication in the types of crimes committed involving careful coordination, planning, and surveillance of intended targets within the last year.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Floods

These types of events are not uncommon for PNG, with the last major flood occurring in November of 2007 in the Oro province of PNG. Heavy rains easily cause landslides which block roads, cutting the most remote villages off almost completely from the outside world. Islands located off of the eastern coast of PNG were hit by unusually large sea swells in early December of 2008. Earthquakes occur periodically but none particularly severe in recent history. PNG is located in the geological area known as the “Ring of Fire” and there is volcanic activity, most prominently on the island of New Ireland near the city of Rabaul.

Industrial and Transportation Accidents

Vehicle accidents involving privately owned, commercially owned, and publicly owned transportation are frequent and often fatal. Drivers should exercise caution at all times on the roads of PNG. Major industrial accidents are rare since there are not many heavy industries in PNG. There are several mining companies in the country which appear to have good safety records. There is a planned expansion of natural gas and petroleum processing which could increase the likelihood of serious industrial accidents in the future.

Kidnappings

Kidnappings were rare in PNG two years ago but have been on the rise in the last year. Criminals have begun to commit crimes of increasing sophistication with kidnapping proving to be among the most popular. Armed gangs have abducted persons whom they believe have access to some kind of valuable asset such as cash or gold. It is not unusual for the perpetrators to impersonate security personnel or police officers in order to gain the trust of victims before executing the kidnapping.

Drugs and Narcoterrorism

Drug use, cultivation, distribution, and related violence are on the rise. While not connected to terrorism, there are indications that drugs are being used as currency for the purchase of weapons and ammunition.

Malaria

PNG is in a malarial zone. While there has not been an epidemic in recent years, people living in PNG do contract malaria on a regular basis. Malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. If persons will be traveling to areas where mosquitoes proliferate, be it urban or rural, they should be sure to use an effective repellant lotion or spray.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is unfortunately quickening its pace in PNG. This is a particularly pressing problem due to the high incidence of rape in the country. Rural areas have seen the sharpest increase in the number of infections. There are a variety of community action groups supported by NGO, government, and international donor activity to address the problem. PNG has an active Anti-Retro-Viral distribution program for persons who are HIV positive.

Police Response

The policing structure in PNG is very poor. Support for foreigners is commensurate with the poor state of policing.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

Americans detained or harassed by police should identify themselves as American citizens and contact the U.S. Embassy immediately. It is inadvisable to become belligerent or uncooperative.

Where to Turn to for Assistance if You Become a Victim of a Crime

The first action any victim of crime should take if feasible is to reach a safe place as soon as possible. Leaving the scene of a crime is not optimal for investigative purposes, but due to the security environment in PNG, victims should not expose themselves to further danger after being victimized. As soon as they are safe, American citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy duty officer at +675 689 6109. Police numbers are +675 321-3486/4250.

Medical Emergencies

How to Get Medical Assistance in an Emergency

Travelers or permanent residents should make every effort to coordinate for medical services well ahead of arrival in PNG. For the Port Moresby area, ambulance service can be reached at +675 325-6822, and the hospital can be reached by phone at +675 324-8200/8100. Please be advised that medical care in PNG is not as advanced as in more developed nations, particularly in the treatment of trauma. Visitors are strongly urged to develop a medical emergency plan prior to arrival.

Contact Information for Local Hospitals and Clinics:

Port Moresby

Port Moresby General Hospital: +675 324-8200/8100

Pacific International Hospital: +675 323-4400

Boroko Medical Clinic: +675 310-8915

St. Gerard’s Hospital: +675 329-9204

St. Mary’s Medical Center: +675 323-2266

Paradise Private Hospital: +675 325-6022

Lae

Masalohan Medical Services: +675 479-1222

Angau Memorial Hospital: +675 472-1211

Lae Clinic: +675 732-2727

Goroka

Faith Mission Health Services: +675 732-2588

Goroka Hospital: +675 731-2100

Mount Hagen

Mount Hagen Hospital: +675 542-1166

Madang

Madang Hospital: +675 852-2022

Yagaum Health Center: +675 852-2363

Air Ambulance Services

Airlines PNG: +675 325-9330

Niugini Air Rescue: +675 683-0305, 323-2033

Travel Precautions

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Travelers can lower their probability of becoming victims by taking the following measures:

1. Plan your trip in advance. Travelers should ensure that they have trusted contacts in PNG who will be able to pick them up and be a guide for the duration of their stay in PNG.

2. Check the State Department web site for updated travel advisories prior to departure.

3. Register with Consular Services online prior to departure.

4. While in country, remain vigilant at all times. Wearing expensive clothing or jewelry will attract criminal attention. Keep cash and credit cards in pockets with closures such as snaps, zippers and velcro. Movement late at night should be avoided and if necessary, carefully coordinated with hosts.

5. Women should dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing.

6. Ask your physician about taking malaria prophylaxis before beginning travel.

7. Make advanced arrangements for medical care in the event of an emergency.

Carjacking and armed holdups are frequent crimes in PNG. Visitors should be careful about how and to whom they disseminate information regarding travel and activity plans.

In all areas of Port Moresby and PNG in general, travelers should exercise extreme caution. Criminal elements are likely to conduct some form of surveillance prior to committing crimes.

How to Contact the Embassy

Regional Security Officer: (office) +675 321-1455 ext.2145, (mobile) +675 683-8289

Embassy Operator: +675 321-1455

Consular Affairs: +675 321-1455 ext.2131, (after hours) +675 689-6109

Political/Economic Section: +675 321-1455 ext.2128/2133

Post One: +675 321-1455 ext.2140

OSAC Country Council

An OSAC Country Council is still in the development stage for PNG. A formal organizational charter is yet to be drafted.

Point of Contact: Regional Security Officer Bernard Nixon, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby

Tel: +675 321-1455 ext.2145, +675 683-8289 (mobile)

Email: nixonbn@state.gov