The Australian government is giving 43.6 million US dollars to churches in Papua New Guinea to deliver critical health and education services.
The funds are part of the Australian government funded Church Partnership Programme, and will be provided over six years to help the poorest, most disadvantaged and remote people of PNG.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia says the services will include building medical centres for HIV and AIDS sufferers, operating health clinics and schools in remote areas, training medical workers and teachers and running primary schools.
It says it recognises the vital role churches play in delivering half of PNG's health and education programmes and resolving community conflict.
