SIRC ready in response to alert on Thursday

SIRC (Honiara)- Yesterday morning a Tsunami warning was echoed over the local radio stations to alert Solomon Islanders to move to higher grounds. The SI Red Cross assisted the National Disaster Management Office and Met Service to alert people in both rural areas and Honiara of the warning received earlier yesterday.

The local Red Cross mobilized its volunteers, especially the National Disaster Response Team (NDRT)trained members to ready for any urgent case, in case of a tsunami. Its volunteers in Lata, Gizo, and other provinces were notified of the warning and were advised to alert their communities to higher places.

Volunteers informed the people while evacuated to higher grounds, they must take cautions in places roads were crossed, properly locked or packed their valuables from opportunists to steal them, and ensure all the family members were safe on higher places till the warning was called off formally.

By around mid yesterday the warning was called off. But people were still need to take great care especially with their movements along low lying areas.

DISSEMINATION: MALUU TRAINING TO NEW & OLD VOLUNTEERS

Towards the end of August 2009, the Solomon Islands Red Cross Dissemination officer held a workshop to the Maluu sub-branch volunteers.
About 21 volunteers participated in the workshop. Most of the participants came from the Maluu surrounding communities. And few lived in Maluu station.
Mr. Niniu Oligao, the facilitator of the workshop at Maluu said the aim of the workshop is to refresh the knowledge of the longtime volunteers and introducing the new volunteers to the Red Cross’ humanitarian beliefs and the policies to equip them as working tools.
“Volunteers form the foundation of the Red Cross. Thus, SI Red Cross is committed to strengthening the baseline of its volunteerism”, he added.
Topics covered during the workshop;
Background information about the SI Red Cross and its role as an auxiliary to the public authorities in humanitarian work
Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and the International Humanitarian Law (also known as the Law of war)
Proper uses and improper uses of the Red Cross symbol
Three components of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and their specific roles
Introduction of the SIRC Code of Conduct and SI Red Cross volunteer policies.
“To hold such workshop in Maluu is crucial to strengthen the volunteer baseline of the volunteers there who are involving in the ‘Tugeda fo Helti Komiuniti’-THK (a community health project) in the artificial island communities of Lau Lagoon”, said Niniu.

SIRC launched three events on May 8, 2009

May 8, the World Red Cross and Red Crescent day was an important moment for the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC). It has launched three events; the launch of the 150 years of the Red Cross and Red Crescent work in serving humanity, the birth of Henry Dunant (the founder of the Red Cross), and the opening of the 2009 public appeal.

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Bobby Kwaomae, the SIRC honorary treasurer said the 150 years of the Red Cross and Red Crescent worldwide is marked with a campaign: Our world. Your move. The campaign is calling for action from individuals, community level, and to the global level. Because the world we are living in is facing many challenges ranging from conflicts to the impacts of Climate Change, emerge of new diseases like now the H1N1 flu (commonly known as swine flu), have threatened the lives of the peoples.

"The Red Cross is humbly calling us to believe in humanity by giving a helping hand wherever we are staying and also to give support in whatever form. Because somewhere not far from you some families have lost their homes and gardens or a baby is in need of milk to survive", he said.

In his keynote address, Mr. Kwaomae formally launched the 'Our world. Your move'campaign which is now happening until the formal celebration of the 150 years of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on 26 and 27th June, 2009. That celebration in June. According to Mr. Niniu Oligao, the leader of the 'Our world. Your move' campaign taskforce the general public is asked to participate in the 150 years of the Red Cross celebration which will be held in Honiara.

To open the annual public appeal, Mr. Kwaomae also asked the public to donate a coin or a dollar during the local Red Cross appeal week to help those who need help.

More donations to Red Cross for floods affected people

SIRC (Honiara)- Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) is grateful with more donations received from the British High Commission and Digicel Company on Friday last week.

According to Ms Nancy Jolo, the British High Commission gave additional $110,073.00 Solomon dollars and Digicel donated substantial amount of SBD $100,00.00 towards the Guadalcanal floods relief.

Receiving the donations on behalf of the local Red Cross Ms Jolo said the organization expresses its humble acceptance of the money by assuring the donors that the Red Cross will to spend the donated funds to meet the affected people’s immediate needs, which also include basic gardening and carpentry tools, and at the same time assist them to recover in long run.

“Assistance which the SI Red Cross received from business houses, families, embassies, and communities towards the Guadalcanal floods relief is a true reflection of the 150^th Anniversary of the Red Cross work in the world-Our responsibility to care for our world by individual and collective move to help those who need our help.

“We greatly acknowledge your continues support”, she said.

Solomon Islands Red Cross as the voluntary humanitarian relief organization depends on donations and volunteering of good-hearted people to support its relief to disaster affected people.

For more information, contact Ms Nancy Jolo (SI Red Cross Secretary General) on telephone (677) 22682 or email; secgen_sirc@solomon.com.sb. Or Mr. Lorima Tuke (Deputy Secretary General) on telephone (677) 22682 or email; dsg_sirc@solomon.com.sb.

Clean Water For Flood Affected Communities a Priority for Red Cross

Solomon Islands Red Cross has prioritised the provision of clean water to flood affected communities of Guadalcanal says SIRC Secretary General Nancy Jolo.

“A lack of access to clean water and sanitation after flooding can worsen the issues faced by affected communities.

“This is why we are working with Australian Red Cross to immediately dispatch a portable water treatment filter system to prevent the spread of dangerous but preventable waterborne diseases”, said Ms Jolo.

By Wednesday this week, the ‘Nomad Water Module” will be on the ground preparing to filter up to 5,000 litres of water every hour. Staff and volunteers of Red Cross will be trained in the use of the water module, which it is anticipated will meet the needs of the worst affected communities in the North-West.

SIRC volunteers trained in public health, water and sanitation will also be on hand in affected communities to spread messages about safe health practices in the aftermath of flooding.

Since January 29, the Red Cross has been providing relief to flood affected communities. To date, twelve Red Cross volunteers have visited more than 40 affected communities to assess their immediate needs in terms of housing, health and livelihood and have provided excellent data guiding the distribution of 170 Family Kits containing essential non-food items.

Assessment data has also confirmed the need for the rapid deployment of the ‘Nomad Water Module”.

“This data is very helpful for us” said Red Cross Health Promotions Officer, Clement Manuri.

“It will assist our health workers to disseminate important messages to affected communities to stop people getting sick.”

“After a flood it is important to act quickly to stop the spread of disease. We have only about five days at this point to get this clean water and health information to communities. It’s a priority we are taking very seriously.”

S.I Red Cross Society sends Assessment Teams to Guadalcanal Floods

The continuous heavy rains and flooding over the last couple of days have greatly affected communities on both east and west of Guadalcanal Province. Reports received to date from the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) highlight 8 confirmed dead with 11 reported still missing and many injured.

The Solomon Islands Red Cross has deployed six emergency response trained staff and volunteers along with the Guadalcanal Provincial Disaster Council (PDC) led teams to do assessment and distribute some relief to the communities affected at the West Guadalcanal and Longu area, East Guadalcanal.

According to Mr. Sipuru Rove, the local Red Cross Disaster Manager, six personnel from the SIRC Headquarters, Auki, Lata, Gizo and Guadalcanal have been deployed to assess household needs in the emergency phase (first few days of the flooding) together with the NDMO while other organizations will do other sectoral assessments.

“Once assessments are complete, Red Cross will distribute supplies of non- food items; tarpaulins, basic kitchen utensils and blankets in this emergency phase because people affected are in need of these items”.

“Red Cross has already joined the NDMO joint assessment teams to do initial assessment of affected areas on Friday last week. My office is confident of data collected so far. But the team will continue with assessment including a rapid aerial assessment to be completed this afternoon ”, he said.

Last night the SI Red Cross volunteers and staff packed around 200 Family Relief kits from its disaster preparedness containers at its Riffle Range compound. These will be transported on board the Police Patrol boat as arranged with NDMO for distribution to the most affect areas. Movement partners of the Solomon Islands Red Cross are on standby to assist with further relief supplies and resources later required.

For more information contact; Ms Nancy Jolo (SIRC Secretary General) or Lorima Tuke (Deputy Secretary General) on Tel: (677) 22682, Fax: 25299 Or email secgen_sirc@solomon.com.sb or dsg_sirc@solomon.com.sb.

Regional Cooperation head in Honiara

The head of the Pacific regional Cooperation delegation from Suva office, Mr. Micahel Oeke is with the Solomon Islands Red Cross for a three-days visit to sign a cooperation agreement with the local Red Cross Secretary General (Ms Nancy Jolo).

According to Ms Jolo the Cooperation agreement covers the supports towards the SI Red Cross Law and Fundamental Principles Dissemination (LFP) and the Family Visits Program for relatives of the detainees. Besides, it is an opportunity to discuss some financial and activity matters concerning the LFP and Family Visits by Mr. Oeke with the respective program officers. He is expected to leave the country by Friday this week to Suva.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) supports those two programs under the Pacific Regional Cooperation with the Pacific Red Cross Societies.

Australian dummies for SI Red Cross

Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) has received twelve resuscitation manikins courtesy of Triathlon Solomon Islands (Tri SI) and the Australian High Commission.

The manikins were funded under an Australian Sports Outreach Program grant, for use in the Tri SI Children's Swimming Program.

In 2008, SIRC provided resuscitation training for 30 Tri SI athletes, teaching them basic first aid techniques as part of a series of Saturday morning swimming and first aid lessons. The athletes learnt to check for danger; practised EAR and CPR resuscitation on adult, child and baby manikins and learnt how to treat cuts and burns.

Tri SI President, Maxon Ala, in handing over the manikins today said the training had been a vital part of the development of triathlon in Solomon Islands, particularly as the triathletes are involved in conducting swimming classes for school children.

He stressed that having basic life support skills is an important life skill and applicable in any emergency, which would not have been possible without the generous support of the Australian High Commission.

The handover of manikins for future first aid training at the SIRC office in New Chinatown coincides with the first day of a week long training course for twelve community based representatives, who will spend this week developing skills to enable them to teach basic first aid in their own communities.

SIRC Deputy Secretary General, Lorimo Tuke, thanked Tri SI and the Australian High Commission for providing valuable resources to support this essential training.


He said the manikins would enable the Red Cross to expand its first aid training program, providing communities with important skills that could one day save a life.

Source: Solomon Times online

SIRC Volunteers provided first aid during Ranadi fire today

About five young SI Red Cross volunteers trained in First Aid have assisted the fire fighters to control the crowd and search for casaulties of the Ranadi fire which occured this afternoon.

According a volunteer on the ground with the fire operation his team helped to control the crowd from going closer to the burned shops.

"Many from the crowd who watched moved into shops. But the risk of anyone had accident was also inevitable. So we assisted the Police and fire fighters to ensure our people were not felt victims to the fire", he said.

According to the team's finding no one was injured in the fire.

SIRC joins "Our world. Your move" campaign

By Niniu Oligao (SI Red Cross Dissemination & Information officer)

The Solomon Islands Red Cross takes part in a Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's global campaign to prepare a way for a Launch of the 150 years of its existence, as the world's largest humanitarian volunteers network.

The launch of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's 150 years will be done on May5, 2009- The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

SI Red Cross starts the campaign with an official slogan: "Our world. Your move". On December 5, 2008, the local Red Cross will celebrate the Internatioanl Volunteers Day to pay tribute to the dedication and selfless deeds of its volunteers and other volunteers around the world. Volunteers lay the foundation of the Red Cross through applying First Aid, disseminating humanitarian values, bandaging the wounded, and promoting healthy living in our communities.

On the same glimse, a joint official letter from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Socieites (IFRCS) this campaign is a call to action. The world today faces unprecedented challenges and we must all work together to address these challenges and promote a culture of engagement.

It says this concept is represented by a globe in disarray. Our message is that by becoming interested and aware, and by "making a move" to help others, everyone has the power to restore hope and order to a messy world. The slogan conveys a sense of responsibility (Our world.) and the power of both individual and collective action to make a difference (Your move.).

This campaign will be supported by a unique web portal that will serve as a gateway for members of the public to explore the world of the Red Cross and Red Crescent--the challenges we face, the work we do and the people we help. To access this, it will be available on March 2009 on web: www.ourworld-yourmove.org.

For more information on this, contact the SIRC Dissemination Program, email: dissem_sirc@solomon.com.sb. Telephone (677) 22682, SIRC HeadQuarters, New Chinatown, Honiara.

Blood Donor Recruitment to launch Club 25

Solomon Islands Red Cross Blood Donor Recruitment at the National Referal Hospital will launch a club for donors who interest to be members. According to Ms Deanne, Blood Donor Recruitment officer the club will be named Club 25.

"We call the new initiative Club 25 because of the three main objectives of this Blood Donor Recruitment program. Firstly, it will be encouraged for donor to give blood 25 times in his or her life time. It's better for potential donors to decide earlier or at age 25 to give blood. And finally, we will encourage Club 25 members to get in other 25 friends or relatives to be members of this club and becoming blood donors too", she said.

Ms Deanne said Club 25 will target the youths and schools especially, to be its members. But interested members of public are invited to join by filling in the Club 25 application form which will be available at the Blood Bank office after its launch this month.

November 24, 2008 the Solomon Islands Red Cross and the Ministry of Health will lauch the Club 25 at the Cultural Village with the Solomon Islands Governor General, Sir Nathenial Waena as a guest of honor.

Youths: Climate Change is Everyone's Responsibility

Youths who attended the Honiara Youth and Climate Change Forum, held last week, are calling for everyone in the community to take responsibility for reducing the impacts of climate change.

Over 50 young people met with climate change experts to build their understanding of climate change; visited sites in Honiara which are already suffering the impacts of climate change; and discussed the role young people have to play in the fight against climate change.

May Nonie, who attended the three day forum, says as young people it was important to see what climate change means for our future and the importance of why we need to start making changes.

"The forum gave young people in Honiara a good sense of how and why we should be concerned about our behaviour and how it affects our climate in the Solomons. Behaviour and activities (our actions); these are the things we need to modify because we now have a basic idea of how we act and interact with the effects of climate change."

The youth involved in the forum will now take their personal action plans which they wrote on Day 3, and implement them in their daily lives. The group also developed several interesting ideas for larger community action plans, which will require additional funding from donors in the near future.

The Honiara Youth and Climate Change Forum was organised by Solomon Islands Red Cross, Honiara City Council's Youth Division, Solomon Islands Youth for Change and Commonwealth Youth Programme South Pacific, with support from Ministry of Women Youth and Children's Affairs and Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Meteorology.

The forum was inspired by the theme for this year's International Youth Day (August 12) - Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action.

"This forum was the first of its' kind; of bringing young people together to discuss climate change, its' impacts, how it affects us in Solomon Islands, and what we can do about it or how we can adapt. Attendance remained high, interest kept growing and the young people participating really showed an incredible enthusiasm for learning about how we can make some changes. Watching their energy is encouraging, and should motivate us all to get involved!" says Mary Jionisi, Honiara City Council's Youth Development Officer.

Source: Solomon Times online.

Rove inmates completed 2 days First Aid training

SIRC (Honiara)- After two days of First Aid training a group of Rove inmates been awarded with certificates on Tuesday 28^th October 2008, in the presence of the Commandant of Correctional Service, Program Director of the Correctional Service Welfare Department and staff, and the acting Secretary General of the Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC), Mr. Lorima Tuke. It was a joint initiative effort by the SI Red Cross and Rove Correctional Service Welfare Department as part of the correctional service rehabilitation.

In his keynote Mr. Tuke said SIRC has been a committed partner of the Correctional Service for quite sometimes. The local Red Cross has been providing assistances to the inmates with eye glasses and supporting their families to visit them in Rove.

“With the same line of thinking, SIRC has provided this First Aid training free to you (inmates) hoping you will become good citizens to support your families and communities with skills you acquired.

“SI Red Cross will continue to assist in the areas appropriate for the welfare of the inmates. Hopefully a next group of inmates will be trained next year”, he said.

Reply to that, Commandant of Correctional Service thanked the SI Red Cross, its instructors, and Rove Correctional Service program staff for this important initiation for the inmates. And he looks forward for that to continue in the future. In relation to that, the participants’ representative said his group was very fortunate to be selected for that training. They thanked the SIRC and Correctional Service for the skills they acquired in the two-day training which would be very helpful to them, their families, and neighbors.

It was the first training the SIRC ever had with the inmates at Rove Correctional Service.

For more information; contact the First Aid Department on phone (677) 22682 or Dissemination Department, email: dissem_sirc@solomon.com.sb. SIRC Headquarters, New Chinatown, Honiara.

SIRC First Aid training for Rove inmates

Dissemination (SIRC)- It's another break through for the Solomon Islands Red Cross' humanitarian work in the Solomon Islands when a combined team of First Aid and Dissemination programs held a training for about eleven Rove Correctional Institution inmates today.

According to Aloysious Erobaea (a local Red Cross First Aid instructor) the arrangement of that first ever training for inmates under the rehabilitation initiative of that Correctional institution has been welcomed by both the Red Cross and the inmates attending the two days training.

"Our goal is to prepare them to be self reliant when comes to work-related safety. This is a reason why we offer the training free as part of their rehabilitation.

"I on behalf of my colleagues we are thankful to the authority of the Rove Correctional Institution to have confidence in us to go that far and train the inmates in their cells. And we are looking forward for future trainings to that targeted group", he said.

At that same occasion, Mr. Oligao Niniu, the SIRC Dissemination officer highlighted to the inmates the Red Cross has an important role to play beyond giving information about its activities and fund raisings. It asks the targeted groups like youths, arm carriers, public authorities, and communities (including the inmates at Rove) to respect lives and dignity of the protected groups such as the civilians, inmates, sick and wounded enemies, Red Cross and medical personnel, and religious people, even at a point when darkness covers the human hearts during wars.

"So Iam here today to tell you that Red Cross is a symbol of humanity. It is a symbol of hope to protect those are not involved in fightings and those no longer fighting because of sickness and wounds. And it must be respected at all times", commented Mr. Niniu.

And the two days training will be completed tommorrow with a certificates presentation to the 11 inmates for their completion of the Red Cross First Aid training.

For more information; contact the Dissemination office, email: dissem_sirc@solomon.com.sb. Or First Aid Department on phone (677) 22682, SIRC Head Quarters, New Chinatown, Honiara, Solomon Islands.

Special Development School held Open Day

By Niniu Oligao

Solomon Islands Red Cross Development School held its open day today. According to the School Principal Ms Catherine Anilafa that was a first time from the last thirty years the Special school held its Open Day.

"Our Open Day has two objectives to achieve. One, to create a moment for the parents of the children with special needs, govenment ministries, non governmental organizations, and friends of the Disable school to come together and appreciating what the school has offered to our special children in this country.

"At the same time the Solomon Islands Red Cross has launched its annual President's Appeal for 2008. This appeal is purposely to raise fund towards the assistances given to the most vulnerable people of this country, said Ms Anilafa.

During the same occasion his Excellency the Governor General of the Solomon Islands SI Red Cross patron, Sir Nathanial Waena commended the school, especially its volunteer teachers for their dedication and compassion towards the education of those children with special learning needs. Sir Waena said government and responsible authorities should take such education for this group of people seriously because they are very productive to this country.

"This kind of people are very good employees. They work as hard as a normal people.

"I have seen some of the former students of this school become very good carpenters and furniture makers at a rural training center, Makira", commented Sir Waena.

Sir Nathanial appreciated the efforts and love of the parents of the students with special needs because fulfill the responsibility God has asked from us as parents to care for the children.

This year's Special School Open Day is based on a theme: "Let the silence be heard".

Red Cross Principle of IMPARTIALITY

By Niniu Oligao (SIRC Dissemination Officer) on the discussion of Fundamental Principles as the Red Cross working tools.

While the Fundamental Principles form a whole in which each principles is interpreted in the light of the others, they also each characterize the Movement's mission differently. The principle of impartiality thus represents the very essence of Red Cross and Red Crescent thought: it inspired Henry Dunant at Solferino, it has been cited at every stage of formulation of the principles and it is, moreover, inherent to the Geneva Conventions. The text of the principle of impartiality is worded as follows:

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Impartiality: the preliminary condition for non-discrimination

Non-discrimination was embodied from the outset in the Geneva Conventions. According to the initial 1864 Convention, any soldier no longer able to fight, by reason of wound or sickness, was to be collected and cared for, no matter what his nationality. That Convention, which was revised in 1906 and 1929, explicitly prohibited only discrimination based on nationality, whereas the 1949 Geneva Conventions state that adverse distinctions based on "sex, race, nationality, religion, political opinions or any other similar criteria" are forbidden. The final words indicate that all types of discrimination are prohibited and that those listed are given merely as examples. This basic prohibition is also contained in the Additional Protocols of 1977, with a more detailed, though not exhaustive, list of the criteria on which it is prohibited to base discrimination.

As one of the principles of international humanitarian law, non-discrimination is above all an imperative rule governing the work of the Movement, whose concern reaches out to all those in need, regardless of any factors that are not humanitarian.

Theoretically, non-discrimination is the refusal to apply distinctions of an adverse nature to human beings simply because they belong to a specific category. In the context of humanitarian ethics, non-discrimination requires that all objective distinctions among individuals be ignored, so that the aid given transcends the most virulent antagonisms: in time of armed conflict or internal disturbances, friend and foe will be assisted in the same way; likewise, those in need will be succoured at all times, whoever they may be.In practice, all the components of the Movement must strictly avoid any form of discrimination when providing material assistance or giving medical treatment. For example, in a hospital run by a National Red Cross Society and treating numerous casualties, among them enemy wounded, it would be incompatible with the principle of non-discrimination to refuse to admit the latter so that the hospital could take in more wounded compatriots. The same would be true if the National Red Crescent Society in a country torn by internal strife gave food aid to the victims of only one of the parties, and made no attempt to bring relief to those whose ideas the Society did not share.

The ICRC has the additional duty of opposing discrimination in connection with its visits to persons detained as a result of a conflict or internal disturbances. It requests the detaining authorities to give the same humane treatment to all such persons and ensures that none of them is placed at any kind of disadvantage for reasons of nationality or differing political convictions. Distinctions arising from humanitarian and rational motives, however, are not incompatible with the rule of non-discrimination: for example, requesting extra blankets for those less able to tolerate cold because of their origin, age or health.

The National Societies are particularly concerned with the requirement of non-discrimination, which is in fact a condition for their
recognition. They must be open to all who wish to become members and must permit all social, political and religious groups to be
represented; this representativity is the guarantee of the Societies' ability to engage in exclusively humanitarian activities and to resist all partisan considerations.

National Societies must be open to all nationals of their respective countries who are willing and able to help them. Foreigners who wish to join should also be able to become members, although the Societies would not be acting contrary to the principle of impartiality by refusing to accept them, since in time of war, the National Societies can operate as auxiliaries to the armed forces' medical services and the volunteer workers assigned to this task are placed on the same footing as medical personnel in the national armed forces; this could lead to difficulties for resident foreigners recruited as volunteers.

Impartiality: help proportionate to the degree of suffering

Non-discrimination means that all those in need shall be helped, yet to treat everyone in the same way without taking into account how much they are suffering, or how urgent their needs are, would not be equitable. This means that, for the Movement, the only priority that can be set in dealing math those who require help must be based on need, and the order in which available aid is shared out must correspond to the urgency of the distress it is intended to relieve.

International humanitarian law stipulates that preferential treatment must be given to certain specially vulnerable categories of protected persons, such as children and the elderly. It requires that the sick and wounded be treated with complete equality as regards care and protection and that only urgent medical reasons may justify an order of priority in the care provided. Therefore, when medical personnel are dealing with an influx of casualties, they must exercise a choice based on proportionality and treat first of all those whose condition requires immediate care.

The same holds true for all the components of the Movement: they must ensure that the distribution of food or medicines corresponds to the most pressing needs. In other words, for equal suffering, the aid will be the same, while for unequal suffering, aid will be proportionate to the intensity of distress.

In practice, the rule that relief must be proportionate to need is not easy to follow. For example, it is sometimes difficult for a National Society to collect funds for victims in countries other than its own since everyone gives according to his affinities, and national self-centredness wants aid to improve the well-being of the local population before that of foreigners. Even when this kind of nationalism is surmounted, there is a greater willingness to help neighbouring countries, whose distress is more familiar and can be sympathized with more readily. The magnificent wave of solidarity with Romania among European countries at the beginning of 1990 was such that at one point restraint had to be called for, since the gifts received far exceeded the immediate needs. Yet at the same time, in Africa and the Far East, hundreds of thousands of displaced people were barely surviving. The ICRC, for its part, has great difficulty in getting the parties to a conflict to understand that the only thing it must grant equally to each is its willingness to serve, and that in other respects its activities are proportional to the needs, and consequently unequal when distress is greater on one side than on the other.

These few examples demonstrate how difficult it is to apply the principle of proportionality in its strictest sense. But the Movement observes the principle as closely as possible by taking the most urgent suffering as the sole criterion for priority in its work.

Impartiality: the exclusion of personal bias

We have already seen that non-discrimination means disregarding objective differences between individuals. Impartiality in its true sense requires that subjective distinctions be set aside as well. To illustrate the difference between the two notions: a National Society that refuses to provide its services to a specific group of people, because of their ethnic origin, fails to observe the rule of non-discrimination; whereas a National Society staff member who, in the exercise of his functions, favours a friend by giving him better treatment than that given to others, contravenes the principle of impartiality.

As shown above, impartiality is expected of those called on to care for the less fortunate. It demands that an effort be made to overcome all prejudices, to reject the influence of personal factors, whether conscious or unconscious, and to make decisions on the basis of facts alone, in order to act without bias towards or against anyone.

In other words, impartiality implies the objective scrutiny of problems and the "depersonalization" of humanitarian work. Thus, while it is natural and human for volunteer workers of a National Society to side emotionally with one of the parties to the conflict, they are nevertheless expected to disregard their feelings in the matter when giving aid, by relieving the suffering of all victims, or when distributing relief supplies, by making no adverse distinction regarding one of the parties to the conflict.

It appears, indeed, that the principle of impartiality thus defined is an ideal to be attained, an inner quality that is rarely inborn but that most often requires one to overcome one's instincts. It demands from members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies an arduous and prolonged effort to overcome their own prejudices and preferences in order to be able to perform the purest act of impartiality which is to give more help to the adversary who is the victim of great misfortune than to the friend whose suffering is less severe, or to care for the more severely wounded, even if guilty, before the innocent whose injuries are slight.

When confronted with distress...

... the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement responds by giving aid without distinction. Mindful of human suffering, it has established an ethical foundation which is embodied in the Fundamental Principles and acts as a guideline for its work in the midst of conflicts and disasters for the victims it is pledged to assist. Each of the Movement's components, in its own area of activity and every one of its millions of members, are committed to implementing these Fundamental Principles and manifesting them in their work, so that the ideals of human solidarity and love upheld by the Movement shall not be merely empty words.

Dissemination awareness training in Auki Branch

Solomon Islands Red Cross Dissemination returned from Auki yeasterday after a week-long Dissemination training to the Auki Branch volunteers. According to Niniu Oligao (the local Red Cross Dissemination officer) though his trip faced many difficulties, the training objectives were met.

"Iam encouraged by the way our Auki volunteer responded to my request for a Dissemination awareness training. I personally thank them for their commitment and dedications to sucrifice their precious times to attend that very important training", Mr Niniu said.

He further commented the Dissemination and information sharing are regarded as the front-runners of the Red Cross activities. They serve an important role in the work of the Red Cross in our country- to tell the communities, public authorities, young generations, and even the potential arm bearers of the protection of certain groups of people which have been agreed on under the International Humanitarian Law (Law of war). These people are those who are not taking direct role in wars: the civilians, Red Cross people, religious people, medical personnel, and so fort. And those who are no longer taking part, example, the sick and wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war to be respected and cared for by the parties of the conflict.

"And at the same time to tell the people of our working tools (Red Cross Fundamental Principles) are as important as the Law of war. It promotes the confidence of people (those we help and general public) to seek our assistance when disasters and wars arise", he highlighted.

SIRC joins Disaster Risk Reduction week

Around the world today disaster response is a very costly exercise for governments, agencies, and humanitarian workers. Serously speaking, now many stakholders of disater management and humanitarian organizations have seen mitigating the impacts of disaster is vital.

Therefore, the Solomon Islands Red Cross disaster management and Disaster Risk Reduction programs join hands with other local and international stakeholders (Non governmental organization, National Climate Change and Weather office and National Disaster Management Office) under the National Adaptation Programme for Action (NAPA) to visit communities in various provinces from 5th October to 9th October, 2008.

According to Mr. George Baragamu, SIRC Disaster Risk Reduction officer in Honiara the aim of the visits is to consult the communities of Climate Change impacts as has been planned under NAPA. Thus, can enable the communities themselves with the stakeholders' little assistances, to mitigate the increasingly impacts of Climate Change today.

"Lorima Tuke (SIRC Deputy Secretary General) leaves for Gizo today. And I will travel to Savo and Ngella from 7th-9th October, 2008 to do consultations there", said Baragamu.

Tugeda fo Helti Komiuniti team still in the Weathercoast

The Solomon Islands Red Cross Tugeda fo Helti Komiuniti (THK) spends three weeks in the Weathercoast area doing health promotion activities, that to begin the three-years health project in Weathercoast and Lau Lagoon.

According to the team leader, Mr. Clement Manuri, the THK group (which consists of staff and volunteers from both Auki and Guadalcanal branches) will return to Honiara mid next week , and then will be heading to Lau Lagoon to begin working with the targeted communities on a health project.

To its advantage, some of the volunteers actually from the communities the THK project is implemented in. By this in long-run, the Red Cross believes will have positive impacts in the communities it works with.

"Our partcipitory approach in working with the Weathercoast and Lau Lagoon communities is to involve the members and having the feeling of ownership of this initiative in long term", he said.

SI Red Cross Governing Board will meet today

The Solomon Islands Red Cross (SIRC) Governing Board will meet at 4.30 pm to discuss matters of the local Red Cross interest.

According Ms Nancy Jolo, the new Secretary General of SIRC the meeting will focus on the management report on the organization's activities and happenings in August and Septmeber 2008.

To note, the John Adifaka-led Board will expect the completion of the Red Cross Tsunami recovery phase at Vella and Kolombangara to top the agenda.