By WASITA ROYAL
A women-led business network has been commended for spearheading one of the largest community-led search and recovery efforts in the New Guinea Islands region following the July 18 boat tragedy that claimed 27 lives.
The NIP MSME Women’s SME Network, led by Linda Narakou, mobilised within hours of the tragedy, rallying businesses and individuals to support the search, recovery and relief efforts.
The network raised more than K20,000 in cash and kind, including K6,000 within the first 24 hours of the incident.
Funds and donated supplies were used to provide critical support, including fuel, coffins, body bags, food and accommodation for search teams and grieving families.
The network worked closely with the East New Britain Provincial Disaster team to coordinate the response and ensure resources reached those involved in the recovery operation.
Narakou, speaking at the emotional handover ceremony at Nonga last weekend, stressed that the community took immediate action.
“We did not wait on the government,” Narakou said.
She described how local networks, businesses, and relatives as far away as Australia and Dubai mobilised within hours.
“The response came from the people-from businesses, from families, from friends who gave graciously from their hearts,” she said.
Search and Rescue team leader Ian Kusak described the mission as one of the largest search and recovery operations in the New Guinea Islands region.
“East New Britain and New Ireland, thank you for your support. Especially the people of Tigak, Djaul islands, Lavongai and Kavieng town,” Kusak said.
“Thank you for opening your waters, your communities and your hearts to this search. And also for treating the bodies with respect and dignity.”
Kusak revealed that during the operation, he discovered one of the passengers was his own cousin sister, the late Joan Poko.
The operation recovered 15 bodies out of the 27 involved in the incident.
The network has now handed over a comprehensive financial report to the ENB Governor’s Executive Team, detailing all funds raised and spent.
A soft copy of the report is available on social media to ensure the public can access and reinforce the team’s pledge of openness.
“This report is not just about numbers;it’s about honouring the trust placed in us by donors and the families who lost loved ones,” Kusak said.
Narakou insisted the victims were not numbers but people.
“They were parents, children, siblings, colleagues, and friends,” she said.
The tragedy claimed five staff members of the ENB Provincial Health Authority, whose bodies were released to their families as well.
The caskets of Manuel Sialis and his wife Relvie Taplar, Clive Pennie and his wife Carol Malisa, lay before grieving families, provincial dignitaries, and the New Ireland SAR team.
Acting ENBPHA CEO Dr. Patrick Kiromat advised that the body of one officer, Raymond Maramun, is still to be recovered.
Following the tributes, a traditional ‘Rara’ was performed by ENB officials to the New Ireland SAR team, conveying gratitude for their efforts and commitment.
Members of the SAR team were presented with traditional Tolai shell money as a sign of thank you from ENBPHA, the Provincial Government, and administration officials.
Narakou’s appeal combined mourning with a call to action: that the compassion shown after the tragedy be institutionalised, accountable, and resourced to reduce the human toll of future maritime emergencies.
“If the initial response was a powerful demonstration of solidarity, the next phase will test whether that energy can be channelled into transparent governance, strengthened SAR capacity, and sustained support for grieving families,” she said.
“That is a fitting way to honour the memory of those who were lost.”