As
the Red Cross Red Crescent tsunami recovery programme begins
to enter its final stages in the Maldives, focus is beginning
to shift towards the long-term humanitarian legacy of this massive
effort, writes Devendra Tak.
In July, the Australian and German Red Cross’ brought
to a close their tsunami recovery operations. Both Red Cross
Societies had been in the Maldives since early 2005.
Whilst other Red Cross Societies remain in the country at the
moment, it is expected that by the end of 2007 many of their
reconstruction projects will have been completed, with most
expatriate staff returning to their own homes.
However, this will by no means signal the end of the Red Cross
Red Crescent presence in the Maldives. As houses, hospitals
and schools are being built, the formation of the Maldivian
Red Crescent also continues in earnest. This new entity will
draw upon local resources - volunteers and expertise –
to support communities as they face future challenges.
According to Jerry Talbot, the head of the International Federation’s
delegation in the Maldives, local staff and volunteers are always
best placed to assist communities to become better prepared
for and to respond to natural disasters.
“Communities here are often quite isolated from each other,”
he explained. “It can take hours or days to reach an outlying
atoll from Male. In the wake of a disaster, such a delay can
have terrible repercussions.
“But beyond this, because they come from the communities
themselves, local volunteers are perfectly placed to know what
their community’s vulnerabilities are, what strengths
can be exploited and where effort should be focused.
“This is the unique strength of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent.”
A committee called the Interim Planning Group, comprising nominated
volunteers representing the atolls and Male’ municipality,
the Maldives Government and the Red Cross organisations, is
working on the formal creation of the Maldivian Red Crescent.
The elections for Male’s representatives are scheduled
to take place later this year. Following this, hopefully by
the end of the year, a general assembly will be convened to
establish the organization’s legal base. Whilst the ultimate
creation of the Red Crescent may still be a while off, these
are important steps.
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An
International Federation vehicle drives along a road in
Laamu Gan, where the French Red Cross is building 400
houses. (p15992)
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The
construction site at Dhuvaafaru, where the latest new
settlement is being built by the International Federation.
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