P&O Pacific Partnership
P&O Cruises Australia has a proud history of more than 90 years of sailing from Australia to island nations in the region including New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. As Australia’s favourite cruise line, P&O has acted on a pledge to ensure that island communities can share in the economic benefits of cruising. This includes support for communities in the region via a guest-funded initiative, the P&O Pacific Partnership, which has spearheaded a wide range of programs. In recent years we supported UNICEF Australia in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, through the ‘Saving Lives, Spreading Smiles’ program.
There is also a strong community connection in Vanuatu with support for the ProMedical Vanuatu ambulance service where we have donated ambulances and trained paramedics as well as provided maritime safety training and lifejackets to the community of Aneityum. We also support the Vanuatu Women’s Beach Volleyball team who can use their position within the community to provide wellbeing and nutrition advice.
In Papua New Guinea, P&O Cruises proudly supports the conservation of local turtles via the baby turtle protection program.
Signature Program:
The P&O Pacific Partnership is our way of giving back to the Pacific Island communities that have welcomed our ships and guests for so many years. The Partnership has raised around two million dollars since its inception. Initiatives that have been supported range from funding health clinics and kindergartens to supporting families during times of natural disasters.
Guests directly contribute to the work carried out through an automatic $2 donation to their onboard account. This donation is for guests over the age of 18 on all cruises. Guests can choose to opt out of the program if they wish – or donate more at Guest Services via their onboard account.
P&O Cruises Australia Helping Vanuatu Children Aim High
P&O Cruises Australia is proudly helping children in Vanuatu aim high, with a donation of 200 volleyballs.
Australia’s favourite cruise line is continuing its partnership with the Vanuatu Women's Beach Volleyball Team, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to support local communities in the destinations it visits.
As part of this collaboration, P&O Cruises Australia has donated 200 volleyballs to be distributed to schools and children throughout Vanuatu. A delivery has already been made to the island of Maweo, where the Vanuatu beach volleyball team recently ran a junior camp.
This initiative is part of P&O's Pacific Partnership, which is a guest-funded program. As enthusiastic supporters of the Vanuatu Women's Beach Volleyball Team, P&O Cruises Australia has assisted the team in pursuing international competitions, including their historic bronze medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and helping establish a purpose-built gymnasium in Port Vila.
"The P&O Pacific Partnership program is a testament to our appreciation for Vanuatu and our commitment to making a positive impact on the communities we visit. We take great pride in championing the Vanuatu Women's Beach Volleyball Team and celebrating their remarkable accomplishments, including their roles as ambassadors, inspiring women and children across Vanuatu," said P&O Cruises Australia Interim Leader Peter Little.
The women’s beach volleyball team is striving for a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and P&O Cruises Australia will be with them every step of the way.
P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure has delivered a life-saving donation of 500 life jackets to Vanuatu’s Mystery Island.
Vanuatu’s Mystery Island is a favourite with P&O guests, because of its natural beauty and pristine environment. Guests love the world-class snorkelling and the pure white sand, but it’s the welcoming locals who make a trip to Mystery Island simply unforgettable.
P&O Cruises makes a commitment to give back to the communities it visits. The gift was made possible through P&O’s Pacific Partnership in Vanuatu, which is funded by guest donations.
This donation of 500 life jackets will be much welcomed by local boat operators. They will be given the life jackets to ensure the continued safety of local people, and cruise guests. P&O Cruises Australia has also funded safety training for the boat operators.
Aneityum Dispensary
The Pacific Partnership’s biggest project to date, in January 2015 P&O Cruises and Save the Children delivered a desperately needed medical facility to the remote Vanuatu Island of Aneityum. The $270,000 project replaced a run-down pre 1970s building which was not weather or insect proof, had no power nor could meet the needs of the clinicians or 150 patients each month. Babies were born at night and were delivered by torchlight.
The new dispensary has raised healthcare standards on the island with features including a waiting area, maternity delivery room and separate consultancy, in-patient and treatment rooms, dental services, new storage facilities, plus modern medical equipment and solar powered electricity.
Located in the southernmost Tafea province, Aneityum is the home community to nearby Mystery Island, one of P&O Cruises’ most popular South Pacific destinations. With only one barge a month bringing supplies to the “last island in Vanuatu”, the dispensary took six months to build.
Country Director of Save the Children Vanuatu, Tom Skirrow, says the dispensary is providing improved healthcare outcomes for about 1800 patients on Aneityum every year.
“We are looking at inter-generational improvements that will be realised for decades to come”, Mr Skirrow said.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said the new project was an exciting example of P&O Pacific Partnership at work.
“We have made a commitment to give back to the communities who make our guests so welcome and our partnership with Save the Children is an excellent way to achieve this” Ms Sherry said.
“The Pacific Islands are among the most beautiful in the world offering truly unique experiences but there is also a significant community need when it comes to health and education facilities. Our guests welcome the opportunity to join with P&O Cruises and Save the Children in addressing these needs.”
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