Hauskuk Initiative

26/09/2026

23/09/2026

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MARINE SAFETY: WEATHER INFORMATION SAVES LIVES
Papua New Guinea is a maritime nation. Every day, thousands of our people depend on small boats and dinghies to travel between islands and coastal communities—for work, school, health services, markets and to visit family.
Sadly, during 2026, a number of serious marine incidents have been reported across our waters, including in East New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Madang, Morobe and Milne Bay.
Several of these incidents were reported during rough seas, strong winds, high swells or deteriorating weather conditions. Lives have been lost, people have gone missing, and families and communities have been affected.
The PNG National Weather Service extends its thoughts to all families and communities affected by these tragedies.
These incidents remind us why marine weather information matters.
Before travelling by sea—particularly in a small craft—check the latest weather forecast and marine warning. Conditions can change quickly, and the weather at your departure point may be very different from conditions along an exposed passage or at your destination.
The goal is simple:
To help a boat operator, fisherman, family or community make a safer decision BEFORE leaving shore.
Weather information alone cannot prevent every maritime accident. Vessel condition, overloading, safety equipment, operator decisions and other factors are also important. But timely and understandable marine forecasts can provide another critical layer of protection.
Before you travel: Check the weather. Check your boat. Carry safety equipment. Tell someone your route. And never ignore a marine warning.
PNG National Weather Service
Weather and climate information for safer communities.

22/09/2026

A true intergenerational leader, ally and supporter of young women. Thank you for standing behind us, believing in us, and always reminding us, “ Bai yupela orait. (You’ll be fine.)”

You will be dearly missed, Mama Mrs Dagen.

Rest in love and power. 🕊️ 🤍

28/08/2026

We are incredibly proud to have one of our very own young woman leader and Project Lead of our World YWCA Young Women's Leadership and Advocacy Program - Penninah Woyengu - be part of Take The Lead Oceania -Artic Alliance Pacific Cohort 2026.

We are grateful to the National Youth Development Authority for the recognition, nomination and partnership over the years in supporting the leadership of our young women and the work of Hauskuk Initiative.

We wish Penninah all the best in this learning experience alongside a remarkable line up of young Pasifika leaders.

Our Oceania future is in good hands! Mālō 'aupito . 👏🏾🩵🌊🌴🌺

27/08/2026

| 𝗘𝗹 𝗡𝗶ñ𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲

1. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?
2. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁?
3. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁?

These three questions shaped Hauskuk Initiative’s El Niño Preparedness Stakeholder Roundtable in Madang on 17 August 2026.

We brought together government and technical agencies, women’s representatives and community actors to strengthen understanding of the risks associated with prolonged dry conditions and, importantly, to consider what this means for people and communities on the ground.

Across the day, we heard perspectives on water security, public health, agriculture and food security, livestock, fire risk, public safety and disaster preparedness. Bringing these perspectives together reinforced an important message: El Niño is not a single-sector issue, and preparedness cannot be addressed by one sector alone.

For Hauskuk Initiative, there is another critical part of this conversation: technical information must reach the people who need it in a form they can understand and use.

This is particularly important for women and young women. During prolonged dry conditions, women and girls can face increased responsibilities in securing water, food and essential services for their families. When water sources become more distant or difficult to access, the time, travel and care burdens placed on women can increase, while travelling longer distances can also heighten exposure to safety risks.

This is why we see our role as helping to bridge technical knowledge and community action, working with government and technical agencies to understand reliable information, and using our networks with CSOs, FBOs, churches, women and communities to help translate that information into practical preparedness actions.

A sincere thank you to the representatives of:

● Madang Provincial Disaster Office
● Madang Provincial Health Authority- Provincial Disease Control
● Water PNG - Madang
● Madang Fire Services
● Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary- Madang Province
● PNG National Agricultural Research Institute
● PNG Biosecurity Authority - PNGBA, Madang
● Madang Provincial Council of Women

We also extend our appreciation to the representatives from churches and faith-based organisations, schools, civil society organisations and communities who joined the conversation and contributed their perspectives and questions.
Your participation made the roundtable more than a technical information-sharing session. It created an opportunity to connect government expertise with the people and networks that will help carry preparedness information into communities.

Preparedness is not simply about having good technical information - it is about making sure that information reaches people early enough, and in a way that helps them act.

We look forward to continuing this important work with our partners across Madang.

Shifting the Power Coalition

21/08/2026

In solidarity we celebrate our frontline womanitarians! 💪🏾👏🏾🩷

20/08/2026

Thank you NBC Madang, Papua New Guinea for covering this very important roundtable meeting, that we facilitated on Monday, 17 August 2026. 🙏🏾