Table of Contents
The current situation in Tari is very poor, following a long period of decline. The restoration of law and order, services, and infrastructure is a basic need. But this will not be adequate in itself. A community-based development approach, in which people participate in the improvement of their own living standards, is required if the rural stagnation underlying the current malady is to be overcome. The experience of the Family Health and Rural Improvement Program (FHRIP) and Community Based Health Care (CBHC) in Tari over the past eight years provides a model for development that can provide shared benefits and participation for all those involved.
However, considerable support is required if such initiatives are to grow and flourish. The Melanesian Farmer First Network, an innovative attempt to bring together a network of community organisations to assist one another, is one such source of support, but commitment to community-based development on the part of government and aid agencies is essential.
There has been a period of decline since the 1980s in the distribution and quality of services, and the state of law and order in Tari district. By September 2000, communications were not functioning, the road to Mendi was impassable except to police-escorted convoys, the bank and post office were closed, and the town power supply was not working (Family Health and Rural Improvement Program 2000). There was no doctor at the hospital, and several health centres and many rural aid posts were closed. Immunisation patrols had all but ceased. Several community schools had been destroyed or were closed, and most others were short of teachers. Agricultural extension services had long ceased functioning. Few public servants were at their posts in town. Almost no aspect of the administration was functioning properly.
In early 2003 things were no better. The last major retail/wholesale store in town had closed following the violence accompanying the 2002 election. The College of Distance Education centre had been razed. Widespread fighting had caused loss of life and destruction in the west and north of Tari.