The office bearers of Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society
The Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society is governed by the National Council, comprising the National Chairman, Deputy, National Treasurer, Youth Representative, and five other independent council members. We currently have 850 volunteers spread across 12 branches and one sub-branch. The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary General, is composed of 33 staff members.
John Hosea is currently serving as the National Chairman of Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society. He assumed the role of National Chairman of the PNGRCS at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in July 2023. Possessing a Diploma in Accounting, he brings a wealth of experience from his years in the Humanitarian and Non-Government Organisation sector. Additionally, he has served as a consultant for various NGOs and businesses. This marks his second term as the National Council Chairman.
JJanet Philemon, formerly the Secretary General of the PNG Red Cross Society, now holds the position of Project Manager at Madang Country Women’s Association. With over 30 years of dedicated service in Papua New Guinea, she has collaborated with various Non-Governmental Organizations, including PNG Red Cross, demonstrating a wealth of experience in community development and promoting good governance. Janet has been an active member of PNGRCS since 1993, contributing significantly as the Chairperson of Morobe Branch, a member of the Council, and serving as the National Treasurer.
Mr. Ken Henry is a teacher by profession. He served as an independent before being elected as the Deputy Chairman. Mr. Henry has been a long-time volunteer with PNG Red Cross Western Highlands Branch and served as Chairman of the branch.
Janet Philemon brings a wealth of experience in community development, governance, and humanitarian work to her role as Secretary General of the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society (PNGRCS). A dedicated member of PNGRCS since 1993, Janet has served in numerous leadership positions, including Chairperson of the Morobe Branch, Council Member, and National Treasurer. Her strategic contributions include leading the review of the 2003–2008 Strategic Plan, working on constitutional committees to enhance governance, and creating a compliance audit for branches.
Janet’s expertise extends to disaster management, where she has played a critical role in PNGRCS’s response to major national crises, including the El Niño drought, the Aitape Tsunami, and the Bougainville Crisis. Under her leadership, PNGRCS initiated the Community-Based Self-Reliance (CBSR) programs in 2000, significantly enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities.
In addition to her roles within PNGRCS, Janet has an extensive background in development work. She served as Secretary General of Madang CWA from 2017 onward, Project Manager for CARE International, and a Senior Program Manager with AusAID, focusing on community governance. Janet’s dedication to capacity building is also reflected in her contributions to PNGRCS‘s disaster management program through the development of basic training modules for branches. Janet is committed to aligning PNGRCS with international standards, as shown in her work on the 2015 Constitutional Review and her UNITAR training. Her leadership and commitment continue to drive PNGRCS’s mission to strengthen the resilience of Papua New Guinea’s communities.
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