Outgoing Secretary General (SG) of Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS) Mr. Uvenama Rova was farewelled on the 04th of March 2022 after more than four years of service to the society.
Chairman of the PNG Red Cross National Council Mr. Henry Yamo spoke at the farewell functions on behalf of council members, volunteers, staff and management of PNG Red Cross, including movement partners – International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent movement (ICRC), who were represented by their respective delegates at the farewell occasion at PNG Red Cross office at 3 Mile in Port Moresby.
In farewelling Mr. Rova, Chairman Yamo thanked Rova and praised him for his dedications, hard work and contributions to Red Cross humanitarian services. “Despite challenges and struggles he faced with limited financial resources, he led with perseverance in saving lives of vulnerable people in communities,” Yamo said.
“Under his watch, the society has responded to following major disasters; highlands earthquake, polio outbreak, volcanoes (Manam) in Madang and (Kadavu) in West New Britain including current COVID19 pandemic”.
He added that Rova was instrumental in forging and strengthening important partnerships with movement partners and others like Coca-Cola Foundation who is now assisting PNGRCS in the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Covid-19 front line workers and volunteers in the country.
Mr. Rova joined the Society on October 30th, 2017 and served over four years. He was employed on a three year term contract which ended on 30th October 2020. Due to delays in recruitment several times the incumbent was allowed to continue until a replacement is sought.
In his last address as Secretary General Rova thanked the national council members, volunteers, staff and management of PNG Red Cross, including movement partners for their support throughout his term.
He further praised movement partners for their proactive support in addressing issues at hand whilst fostering sustainable, transparent and inclusive growth within PNGRCS and working closely with him and the government to fulfill PNGRCS’s auxiliary role as the leading National Humanitarian Organization in country.
Rova was a people’s man who connects well with people and strengthened people to people connections. He thanked management, staff and volunteers for their endless support and commitment to their individual roles which he referred to as service to humanity.
He didn’t seek re-election because he has other ambitions to pursue but admitted that he will register as a volunteer and still be part of PNG Red Cross movement. He further stressed that this will create opportunity for others to come with fresh minds/new visions and directions to drive the organization forward.
PNG Red Cross Society National Council met on 26th of February 2022 and resolve that since Rova didn’t re-apply for this role his services would formally cease on 04th of March 2022. Council then appointed Newton Kiafuli, current Internal Auditor to be the Interim Secretary General for PNGRCS until recruitment is formalized and a new Secretary General is appointed.