The people of Pari village are a step closer to accessing safe water and dignified sanitation following the signing of a landmark three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WaterAid and the Motu Koita Assembly (MKA) on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

The strategic agreement was signed by WaterAid Australia CEO Tom Muller and MKA Chairman Hon. Russell Simon Wavik. The signing was witnessed by WaterAid PNG Country Director Annemarie Paul, MKA Manager of Legal Services Tau Kamuta, and other key stakeholders.

A central initiative of this renewed partnership is the rollout of Sago Dry toilets across all Motu Koitabu villages.

Specially engineered for Papua New Guinea’s unique coastal and environmental conditions, the Sago Dry toilet is a modern outdoor system that requires absolutely no water to flush. The innovative design provides a permanent, easy-to-use, and highly transportable sanitation solution that safeguards both public health and the surrounding marine and land environments.

Motu Koita Assembly Chairman Hon. Russell Wavik expressed his gratitude to WaterAid for their enduring support, highlighting the agreement as a major milestone for the health and dignity of the Motu Koitabu people.

“This renewed partnership is vital for improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH),” Chairman Wavik said. “We also want to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene awareness in schools and communities to ensure children and families adopt good hygiene practices and take true ownership of these initiatives for the long term.”

WaterAid Australia CEO Tom Muller expressed his gratitude for the strong, continuous partnership maintained with the MKA since 2020, noting that the 2026 MOU firmly solidifies their shared, long-term commitment to the region.