Red Cross PNG Society has new Secretary General

The Chairman of the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, Ms Janet Philemon, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Philip Tapo as the new Secretary General, who took up his duties on 10th of May 2016.

Ms Philemon, on behalf of the National Governing Council thanked Mrs. Allison Dage Yamo who filled the role of the Interim Secretary General for the last seven (7) months and supported the changes taking place within the Society being undertaken by the new Council that was voted into office in September 2015.

“When the new council were appointed in 2015 they were aware that the PNGRCS had not been well managed for some time. The Council has been putting in place strategies to rectify this and the appointment of Mr Philip Tapo was timely," said Ms. Philemon.

She said Mr. Philip Tapo was selected on merit following a rigorous recruitment process.

“This is the top management position in the national society and he will support the National Councils vision to rebuild the structures within the National Society to support strong branches and programs and enable the Society to fulfill its role as an auxiliary to the public authorities in humanitarian matters." Ms Philemon further acknowledged the continued support of our movement partners, the International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) the Australian Red Cross (ARC) the New Zealand Red Cross and the Government and corporate organisations, Stakeholders and donors for the on going support to PNG Red Cross.

Mr. Tapo has an extensive experience in the public service sector.

He said in the long run the national society should identify the pitfalls and the challenges under his leadership so that it can stand out from other humanitarian organisation.

“ People should be able to see what the national society is about not only in existence, but in the act of actually doing something and impacting the lives of the needy whether it be in times of disaster and non- disaster”

To achieve this capacity building for preparedness to respond must be achieved.

“We can only give what we have if we don’t have that level of capacity available we will not be able to give when needed”