When
the devastating tsunami crashed upon the shores of the usually
quiet archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the International Federation
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies quickly responded
by providing life saving relief supplies. Nevertheless, the
absence of a Maldives National Society was felt immediately
by the immense relief operation. With the current Federation
tsunami recovery programs underway on all of the tsunami-affected
islands, the need for a National Society continues to grow.
“The formation of the National Society is off to a very
encouraging start,” noted Jerry Talbot, Federation Head
of Delegation in the Maldives, following the culmination of
recent meetings of Maldivians interested in the Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement.
The Federation hosted a voluntary working group of 35 individuals,
who identified local and national needs which includes disaster
management, health, water and sanitation, welfare and organizational
development. The volunteers and also discussed the structure,
management and legal basis for formation of a National Society.
Those who participated are nurses, teachers, shopkeepers, divers,
and musicians, among others who now comprise what may be the
next Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society.
Prior to the initial working group gathering, a public forum
was attended by nearly 150 people and opened by Dr. Abdul Azeez
Yoosuf, Deputy Minister of Health, who explained the mandate
of the Red Cross Red Crescent in coordination with the Maldives
Ministry of Health. Television and radio announcements were
broadcast throughout the islands during the two weeks leading
up to these meetings to create awareness about the Red Cross
Red Crescent Movement and to invite all interested to attend.
The diverse crowd of men and women at the forum also heard Mrs
Niki Rattle, Secretary General of the Cook Islands Red Cross
speak on her experience of an island nation establishing a National
Society and the benefits of having a Red Cross National Society
that can provide essential disaster response and preparedness
as well as ongoing health and welfare programs to vulnerable
people.
“Each of the 181 National Societies around the world adhere
to the same seven fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality,
neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality,’
said Mrs Rattle. “With the formation of a Maldives National
Society, it is as if the Maldives will be adopted into the larger
Red Cross humanitarian family who provide assistance in times
of need,” she added.
Building on the momentum of their initial meeting, the working
group will meet again during the first week of October, with
the goal of moving toward a year’s end general meeting
to establish a National Society.
“The Red Cross has been able to mobilize a group of people
with varied interests, skills and backgrounds…this is
a good start. Now we will see what the ideas are and how we
will be able to create the network we need to continue with
the work,” expressed Ms. Aminath Arif, a working group
participant.
“We have a lot of work to do on a very tight schedule
to formally establish the National Society by the end of the
year, but we now have an enthusiastic group to tackle the task,”
said Jerry Talbot.
The year end will be a time for commemoration and remembrance
for the tsunami survivors –hopefully, it will also be
a time to welcome a Maldives National Society into the Red Cross
Red Crescent Movement and largest humanitarian network in the
world.
The Federation along with the American, Australian, British,
Canadian, French, and German Red Cross Societies are currently
providing assistance to all of the tsunami affected islands
of the Maldives in the program areas of construction, water
and sanitation, psychosocial support, disaster management, organizational
development, health and livelihoods.
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The
formation of a Maldives National Society will include
the Maldives in the larger Red Cross humanitarian family
which provide assistance in times of need.
Photo: International Federation (p13320)
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The
end of September marks a significant step forward in the
establishment of a Red Crescent National Society in the
Maldives.
Photo: International Federation (p13321)
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Children
in Maldives effected by the tsunami can look forward to
a National Red Crescent Society in the Maldives to provide
humanitarian assistance for years to come.
Photo: International Federation (p13339)
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