ICMC Visits PNG refugee projects, strengthens partnership

The first ever visit by the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) to Papua New Guinea (PNG) took place between 27 July and 4 August 2025. Nicole Anschell, the project manager at ICMC, made the long journey to PNG to see some of the projects currently funded by ICMC. Since 2023, ICMC has been supporting refugee programs in PNG, through the Desk for Migrants and Refugees (M&R Desk) at the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands. Some of the projects funded by ICMC include WaSH, financial literacy training, SME start up and cash assistance.

Figure 1: A West Papua family in front of their makeshift home in Vanimo, PNG.

The visit was an opportunity for ICMC to see and hear first hand the impacts of the projects on the lives of refugees in PNG. The main beneficiaries of these ICMC funded projects are the West Papuan refugees in Port Moresby who are living in overcrowded informal camps. Apart from the others, the cash assistance program is making a big difference in the lives of many old and vulnerable West Papuans. Mostly single adult males, they are the most vulnerable because they are bachelors and have no family of their own to support them. Mostly in their 50s and 60s these men survive mainly on selling firewood and empty cans, news papers, and help from kind-hearted people. The cash assistance program is blessing to them. Armandus from Waigani camp who spoke on behalf others sincerely thanked ICMC and the M&R Desk. He added, “we do not spend this money on another other thing than food. We will use this money wisely to support us with food.

In Port Moresby, the ICMC team and the M&R Desk officers at CBCPNGSI visited Hohola, Waigani, Rainbow and 9-mile West Papua camps, engaging with the old, the women, youth and community leaders to learn of some of their challenges. Apart from West Papuans, Nicole also had the opportunity to meet with a group of asylum seekers and refugees from the now ceased Regional Resettlement Arrangement program who are still in Port Moresby, as well as other spontaneous migrants and refugees.

Figure 2: Recipients of Cash Assistance allowance at CBCPNGSI.

Jason Siwat, the Director of M&R Desk accompanied Nicole to Vanimo to visit a project community in Blackwara where some West Papuan refugees are currently living. This group includes refugees who entered Vanimo through the border in 2021, who have since been supported by the Vanimo Diocese and local bishop, Bp. Francis Meli. The project funded the construction of a semi permanent structure and installation of water tank to enable transition to a more secure and stable living.

Fr. Prabhat and Tony Inikre who coordinated the project on the ground facilitated the visit smoothly and shared on the ground perspectives of challenges and issues with ICMC and the M&R Desk for consideration for future support. Bp. Meli also took the time to chat about the West Papua refugees and shared insights about the diocese’s plans of properly assisting them build better lives. Despite this project coming to an end, we will continue to explore areas of collaboration to support these refugees rebuilding their lives in PNG.

Figure 3: Tony Inikre (Caritas Coordinator) and Fr. Prabhat showing the newly constructed transit home to M&R Director, Jason Siwat