Republic of Palau

Contact //Tel: +61 2 6178 4000
Fax: +61 2 6178 4880 // Post: GPO Box 887, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
 
 

heading foldHow we are helping

Our funding for 2012/13

$2.3 million

Strategic goals

Priority Spend (%)
Saving lives
View all initiatives
8
Promoting opportunities for all
View all initiatives
21
Sustainable economic development
13
Effective governance
18
Humanitarian and disaster response
View all initiatives
36
Cross cutting 4

In August 2010 Australia and Palau agreed on a new Partnership for Development to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Partnership guides Australia’s aid to Palau and focuses on improving the quality of teachers, building the skills of health sector workers, and clearing unexploded ordnance such as land mines and cluster munitions. It also provides support to numerous civil society organisations working across a number of sectors.

The Government's decision to reprioritise resources within the aid budget for 2012‑13 did not impact the Palau program.

Saving lives

Recent results

  • Australian support to the Ministry of Health in 2011 helped to develop a workforce plan, identifying areas of staffing weaknesses and training needs.

Commitments 2012–13

  • An Australian adviser will help to finalise a human resource development plan for Palau’s health sector, resulting in an increased number of qualified staff.

More about saving lives

Promoting opportunities for all

Recent results

  • In 2011, an Australian-funded adviser working with the Palau Community College updated the teaching course with a best-practice English as a Second Language curriculum. This will result in a higher standard of education in Palau as graduating teachers will be better qualified.
  • In 2010, Australia contributed to the building of a new Tourism and Hospitality School at the Palau Community College.

Commitments 2012–13

  • Australia will continue to build the capacity of the Palau Community College by providing technical assistance and Australian Volunteers.

More about promoting opportunities for all

Humanitarian and disaster response

Recent results

  • In 2011, an Australian grant assisted in clearing unexploded war ordnance in the island of Peleliu. Over 700 items of explosive remnants of war, weighing 606kg, were removed from the jungle trail on the island. This has reduced the threat to the local community and allowed a jungle trail for tourists to be extended.

Commitments 2012–13

  • Australia has scaled up its commitment to the clearance of unexploded war ordnance, with $1.35 million provided to support clearance activities across the country. Included in this funding is support for the establishment of a regional unexploded ordnance training facility. This facility will also benefit neighbouring Pacific island countries.

More about humanitarian and disaster response

 

Australian ODA to Palau, 2002–03 to 2012–13 ($m)

Graph of the Official Development Assistance to Palau. Exact values are provided below.
View a larger version

The graph above shows the Australian Official Development Assistance to Palau, including AusAID funding and funding by Other Government Departments (OGD).

The exact values are as follows:

  • 2002–03: AusAID $300,000, OGD $400,000
  • 2003–04: AusAID $600,000, OGD $500,000
  • 2004–05: AusAID $1,300,000, OGD $500,000
  • 2005–06: AusAID $1,500,000, OGD $500,000
  • 2006–07: AusAID $900,000, OGD $500,000
  • 2007–08: AusAID $900,000, OGD $400,000
  • 2008–09: AusAID $1,400,000, OGD $300,000
  • 2009–10: AusAID $800,000, OGD $300,000
  • 2010–11: AusAID $1,000,000, OGD $300,000
  • 2011–12: AusAID $6,000,000, OGD $100,000
  • 2012–13: AusAID $2,200,000, OGD $100,000

Australian ODA to Palau by strategic goal, 2009–10 to 2012–13 (%)

Graph of the Official Development Assistance to Palau by strategic goal. Exact values are provided below.
View a larger version

The graph above shows Australian Official Development Assistance to Palau by strategic goal.

The exact values are as follows (%):

  • 2012–13
    Saving lives: 8
    Promoting opportunities for all: 21
    Sustainable economic development: 13
    Effective governance: 18
    Humanitarian and disaster response: 36
    Cross cutting: 4
  • 2011–12
    Saving lives: 2
    Promoting opportunities for all: 9
    Sustainable economic development: 47
    Effective governance: 19
    Humanitarian and disaster response: 22
    Cross cutting: 0
  • 2010–11
    Saving lives: 12
    Promoting opprtunities for all: 16
    Sustainable economic development: 21
    Effective governance: 43
    Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
    Cross cutting: 9
  • 2009–10
    Saving lives: 1
    Promoting opportunities for all: 12
    Sustainable economic development: 41
    Effective governance: 40
    Humanitarian and disaster response: 0
    Cross cutting: 7

Other ODA in Whole of Government 201011 to 201112 ($'000)

Graph of Australian Official Development Assistance to Palau by Other Government Departments. Exact values are provided below.
View a larger version

The graph above shows the Australian Official Development Assistance to Palau by Other Government Departments.

The exact values are as follows:

  • Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
    201011: $1,07,800. 201112: $15,600.
  • Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
    201011: $6,700. 201112: $3,200.
  • Department of Defence
    201011: $219,800. 201112: $127,800.
  • Attorney General's Department
    201011: -. 201112: -

Research overview

Research funded by AusAID’s Palau country program targets the country’s specific development challenges. Under the Palau-Australia Partnership for Development , Australia supports the clearance of unexploded ordnance – including landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants – around the islands of Palau.

 

Unexploded Ordnance Surveys (to be completed in 2013)

Cleared Ground Demining Palau team members at their storage facility in Peleliu, Palau.
Photo: Erin Magee, AusAID

Since September 2009, the non-government organisation Cleared Ground Demining has been conducting a range of mine action activities such as risk awareness, survey, land and underwater clearance, and demolitions across Palau’s states.

In 2013, with the support of AusAID funding, the Cleared Ground Demining team will undertake extensive surveys throughout the western Palau states of Aimeliik, Ngatpang, Ngeremiengui, and Ngardmau. These states have been prioritised under these survey activities, as they were the scene of intensive bombardment throughout World War Two.

The team will conduct a door knock survey of every household in these states to ask for information on the known location of unexploded ordnance, whilst also reminding householders of the dangers they pose. The team will meet with community leaders such as Chiefs and women’s societies, and risk awareness pamphlets will be distributed to the community.

Underwater survey tasks will also be carried out in conservation areas, as well as heavily populated areas that are visited regularly for fishing or diving.

This support to Palau is part of Australia’s global efforts to reduce the threat and impact of landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Since 1997, Australia has provided more than $200 million in assistance, making it the sixth largest contributor to mine clearance efforts in the world.

Where is Palau?



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Country statistics

Population: 20,600

GDP growth (5 year average): 4.2%

Gross national income per capita, Atlas method (current USD$, 2010): USD$6,560

Human Development Index (2011): 49

Adult literacy rate (both sexes, % aged 15 and above): 91.9%

Adolescent fertility rate (women aged 15-19 years, births per 1,000 women): 13.8

Mortality rate of children under 5 (per 1,000): 15

Life expectancy at birth: 71.8

Expenditure on public health (% of GDP): 8.5

Sources: United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, Millennium Development Goals 2010 Report for Palau

 
 

heading foldWhy we give aid

quote

Many of Palau’s people cannot access opportunities or services such as high quality education and healthcare. The physical isolation of Palau’s islands along with the small size of the population present particular development challenges: transport and communication costs are high, and the skills base of the country is low. As a regional neighbour, Australia is well-placed to work closely with the Government of Palau and civil society organisations to improve the country’s development.

Find out more about why we give aid to Palau

 
 

heading foldHow we give aid

Through the Australia-Palau Partnership for Development the two countries work together to support Palau’s development in areas where help is needed the most. The Partnership commits Palau to provide sound laws, policies and public services for its citizens, and to effectively and transparently manage development resources. It commits Australia to increase our aid, give good technical advice and to work closely with Palau’s Government to deliver this assistance.

Find out more about how we give aid to the Republic of Palau

 
 

heading foldProgress Against MDGs

  •             Eradicate extreme hunger                        & poverty
  • Achieve universal primary education
  • Promote gender equality and empower women
  • Reduce child mortality
  •             Improve maternal health
  • Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  • Ensure environmental sustainability
 
 

Last reviewed: 29 April, 2013