First meeting for SIRC Volunteers Interim committee

Solomon Islands Red Cross volunteers interim committee met on February 12, 2008 to discuss coming activities for the local Red Cross volunteers at the National Headquarters.
According to Aloysius Erobaea (acting SIRC volunteers committee chairman) the agenda of the meeting that day included;
1. The Red Cross volunteers committee to look at a proposed program for an Orientation session for new and present SIRC volunteers which would be held on the Thursday 21st February 2008.
2. Discussion was also on how to inform the present volunteers and interest people from public who would like to attend that orientation session.
3. Formulated a small financial budget to cover transportation cost to drop volunteers/ potential volunteers at the meeting and a light refreshment after the session for those would attend the volunteers orientation session.
4. Discussed an initiative to draw up a volunteer 2008 action plan in relation to the volunteers support to SIRC programs and activities.
Mr. Aloysius said the need for 2008 volunteers action plan is to improve the organization and services of the volunteers.
Prior to the action plan, Mr. Niniu Oligao (SIRC Dissemination officer) suggested during the meeting there is a need for the committee to check with SIRC program officers on what planned activities they would need all volunteers to team to assist.
The interim volunteers committee consists of all volunteers elected towards the end of 2007. Its roles are to organize SIRC volunteers at the national headquarters to assist in programs and disaster response activities and as a focal point the SIRC Volunteers management can work with in decision makings, volunteers development initiatives and discussing matters concerning volunteers of the local Red Cross.
The Solomon Islands Red Cross volunteers committee and volunteers management would like to thank the hard working volunteers for their commitments and dedications to help the vulnerable communities in 2007. And they are looking forward for another year of teamwork and empowerments among the Red Cross people.

Cooperation head completed visit to SIRC

Mr. Michael Oeke (head of Regional Cooperative mission of Red Cross) from Suva office went to Honiara for an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) coperative support towards the Dissemination of the International Humanitarian Law, Safer Access to affected people in armed conflicts, and the promotion of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's Fundamental Principles in the Solomon Islands.

According to this cooperative agreement objectives there are certain things expected to achieve at the end of 2008. These include, one, the internal target groups (governance, management, staff, and volunteers) should be strengthenened their corporate identity as well as the integrity of the organization through their understanding of the humanitarian values. Two, to regularly spread the messages about the humanitarian values and principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (through their generous actions and behavior)amongst the vulnerable groups which can contribute to the SI Red Cross acceptance at the community level. And thirdly, special priority targeted groups like Security forces, public authorities and youths are needed to be informed on the International Humanitarian Law to increase the national Red Cross' acceptance and credibility in conflict and social unrest situations.

According to Niniu Oligao, the SIRC Dissemination officer, the ICRC supports his programmes communication mechanisms like Quarterly Newsletter, Red Cross radio programmes, Poster Calendar, and soon TV advertisments to Honiara audiences.

Also his trainings and community awareness tours are supported under this cooperative agreement which Michael has come to Honiara for to be signed by the local Red Cross Secretary General.

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.