More Student Researchers visited SI Red Cross

Since the month after the Western and Choiseul tsunami Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) was popular among both Secondary and tertiary student researchers. Those mainly visited the humanitarian organizatiuon with their research works came from various high schools around Honiara, Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE), and the University of the South Pacific Honiara based center.

According to Oligao Niniu (SIRC Dissemination officer) students researched on various topics such as Climate Change and its impact on humans, disaster preparedness and response, disable children education, Red Cross and its humanitarian ideals, First Aid, and even specificly on Red Cross' response to the Western and Choiseul tsunami devastation.

"The Red Cross' visibility to researchers is due to the fact we attracted alot of media coverages during our tsunami operation, and even in the rehabilitation phase", he said.

However, Mr. Niniu encouraged students and public alike to visit the Red Cross office or access to media during Red Cross programmes to learn more about its important roles in the field of humanitarian help in our country.

Using our Symbol to its best advantage

By Niniu Oligao (SIRC Dissemination officer)

Increasing our visibility through prominent and proper use of the red cross symbol represents a giant step toward identifying ourselves and our services to more people worldwide.

Suggestions for using our symbol

• All Red Cross paid staff and volunteers should be familiar with the references to the symbol in the Geneva Conventions and with the guidelines from the Council of Delegates of the RCRC Movement in Budapest, 1991.
• Clearly display the Red Cross name and symbol at all Red Cross facilities and field locations.
• Clearly mark all official Red Cross transportation- vans, emergency vehicles, and other vehicles- with Red Cross symbol.
• When paid or volunteer staff appears before media, make sure that a pin or other insignia is clearly visible.
• Encourage paid and volunteer staff to wear the symbol as a pin when off duty. However, the symbol should not be worn in inappropriate places such as bars, night clubs, or, if the individual is engaged in activities that would show the Movement in a questionable or negative light.
• When a celebrity appears in public to speak on behalf of the Red Cross, make sure he or she is wearing an insignia that will easily be seen in photographs or on film.

For more information on the this, you can contact the SIRC Dissemination Programme on email: dissem_sirc@solomon.com.sb. Or call in at our Headquarters in New Chinatown, Honiara. In the provinces you can visit our nearest branch.