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.

Road 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. The complete absence of enforcement of traffic laws in PNG contributes to a dangerous traffic environment. 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.

Regional Terrorism and Organized Crime

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. While no organized crime groups have been identified, there are indications that they are developing. In the last four months, there has been an increased level of sophistication in the types of crimes committed involving careful coordination, planning, and surveillance of intended targets.

Civil Unrest

Civil unrest is common, often taking the form of tribal fighting. As of the date of this report, there was a large tribal fight in the city of Lae in which one person was killed and at least 20 homes burned to the ground. In other parts of the country, numerous people have been killed and homes destroyed in a wide range of conflicts. No part of the country is immune and there have been two large conflicts in the Port Moresby National Capital District in the last six months.

Post-Specific Concerns

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are not uncommon for PNG, with the last major flood occurring in November of 2007 in the Oro province. Heavy rains easily cause landslides which block roads, cutting the most remote villages off almost completely from the outside world. Earthquakes occur periodically but none have been particularly severe in recent history. PNG is located in the geological area known as the Ring of Fire. Hence, 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 many of them 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 a serious industrial accident in the future.

Kidnappings

Kidnappings were rare in PNG a year ago but have been on the rise in the last four months of 2007. Criminals have begun to commit crimes of increasing sophistication, with kidnapping proving to be among the most popular. Armed gangs have abducted people 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, then execute 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.

Medical Issues

Malaria

PNG is in a malarial zone. There has not been an epidemic in recent years; however, people living in PNG do contract malaria on a regular basis. Malarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. If people will be traveling to areas, whether urban or rural, where mosquitos proliferate, they should be sure to use an effective repellent lotion or spray.

HIV/AIDS

The spread of 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.
And the Politicians are helping the spread of it by hooking girls from Universities and Night Clubs.

Police Response

The policing structure in PNG lacks resources. Support for foreigners is commensurate with the poorly funded police force.

Americans detained or harassed by police should avoid belligerent or uncooperative behavior, and should identify themselves as American citizens and contact the embassy immediately.

Please putim name blo you and where you got your information from. Everyone country in the world have its share of problems just like Papua New Guinea. Don't know who you are and where you're from but the last i checked my country PNG has its problems like every other country in the world, tasol em peles blo em ya...so you can go sakim ass blo banana blo tumbuna blo yu..

Proud PNGean...woking for a better PNG.

Great countries are those who admit their faults first, then proceed to openly talk about ways to correct them.

Failed states are those who fail to admit their problems, much less deal with them.