BHP Billiton Iron Ore and World Vision have teamed up to form a $5 million partnership to boost care and health activities for pre-school aged children in the east Pilbara.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore and World Vision have teamed up to form a $5 million partnership to boost care and health activities for pre-school aged children in the east Pilbara.
The announcement is below:
A new $5 million BHP Billiton Iron Ore and World Vision partnership will boost care and health activities for hundreds
of pre-school aged children in the East Pilbara.
The five year partnership will help Indigenous parents and families improve health and learning activities for babies
and pre-school children.
The East Pilbara was selected after results from a study by the Australian Early Childhood Development Index raised
concerns abut the wellbeing and development of Indigenous children in the region.
"We are thrilled with BHP Billiton Iron Ore's support, and feel privileged to have the chance to work with communities
in the Pilbara," says Tim Costello, CEO World Vision Australia.
"It is the first time these communities will have been given a hand with specialised services for pre-school aged children and parents," says Dr Mark Moran, Head of World Vision's Australia Programs.
"Under 5s are particularly vulnerable and the earlier we start working with them the better the long‐term future is for
them and their community. We have seen the benefits of this early intervention in our international work as well as
here in Australian communities," added Dr Moran.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore Vice President Sustainability, Carl Binning said the initiative will be very beneficial to the East
Pilbara community and will play a critical role in the soial growth of communities in which the company operates.
"BHP Billiton Iron Ore is committed to the sustainability of our neighbouring Indigenous communities and we are
extremely please to be embarking on this partnership with World Vision Australia to help improve Indigenous health
and wellbeing in several Eas Pilbara communities," he said.
"The partnership with World Vision Australia forms part of BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Investment in Indigenous
Relationships Stratey, and will have a positive impact on the lives of young children and will assist in achieving
improvements in the health and welbeing of Indigenous mothers and children in these communities," says Mr
Binning.
World Vision has worked alongside Indigenous communities in Australia for several decades, and in the Pilbara will
work with parents and families to help them provide supportive and safe environments. Two full time World Vision
staff will be based in the region.
The program builds on World Vision's early childhood work with Walpiri communities in the Northern Territory, which
began last year in partnership with the Central Land Council.
Early childhood care is one of the most critical areas of work to overcome Indigenous disadvantage. It can help
develop children's physical health, social competence, emotional maturity, language and communication skills and wellbeing.