KAVIENG WOMEN’S SME NETWORK COMMENDED FOR COORDINATING ENB BOAT TRAGEDY RECOVERY
BY WASITA ROYAL
A women‑led business network has been praised for spearheading one of the largest search and recovery operations in the New Guinea Islands region following last month’s boat tragedy that claimed 27 lives.
The NIP MSME Women’s SME Network, led by Linda Narakou, mobilised within hours of the July 18 incident, raising more than K20,000 in cash and kind, including K6,000 in the first 24 hours.
The network coordinated fuel, coffins, body bags, food, and accommodation for search teams and grieving families, working alongside the East New Britain Provincial Disaster team.
Search and Rescue leader Ian Kusak described the effort as one of the largest recovery operations in the region, with 15 bodies recovered.
Narakou stressed the community did not wait for government systems, saying: “We did not wait on the government.”
The network has since handed over a full financial report to the ENB Governor’s Executive Team, also publishing a soft copy online.
In remembering the 27 lives lost, Narakou said they were not numbers but parents, children, siblings, colleagues, and friends.
The tragedy also claimed five staff members of the ENB Provincial Health Authority, whose bodies were released to families last week.
The body of one officer, Raymond Maramun, remains missing.
