Caribbean Red Cross E-Newsletter

Disaster Risk Mgt.

No. 5

March - April 2007

ARUBA

FAMILY LINKS PROGRAMME

• Ms Ingrid Jansen, programme manager of the Netherlands Red Cross met with the head of the Aruba Risk Reduction Office to discuss the possibility of introducing the Family Links project of the Netherlands Red Cross in their activities. The Aruba Risk Reduction Office has expressed great interest in the Family Links project and are currently trying to find the funds to introduce it in their activities.

VOLUNTEERS

• The Aruba Red Cross presented a report titled “Regaining Respect for the Red Cross” to government members and public and private sector representatives in April. The purpose of the presentation was to highlight the long hours and activities of the Red Cross volunteers during its Carnival in February. The event was also used as a way to raise funds for the Red Cross’ programmes.

BONAIRE

FUNDRAISING

• The Bonaire Red Cross had a booth at the “Dia di Rincon” celebrations on April 30. The Red Cross sold “Faces” t-shirts and handed out information on its programmes and activities. Over 100 t-shirts were sold.

CURACAO

“TOGETHER WE CAN”

• The Curacao Red Cross held a “Together We Can” peer educators training on March 17 and 18 and youngsters from vulnerable communities in Curacao were trained to become peer educators.

• On March 20, the Red Cross held a ground breaking ceremony to start the construction of its Disaster Relief building. The building will be used by the Red Cross and Lions and will serve the community in times of disasters. Funds for the construction of the building came from national disaster funds in the Netherlands and by the Lions in Curacao.

• On April 1, the Red Cross held its annual day for the elderly. Over 100 elderly persons were treated at the Red Cross to nice food, games and entertainment.

DISTRICT LEEWARD (ARUBA, BONAIRE, CURACAO)

MEETINGS

• There was a meeting among presidents of the three overseas branches of the Netherlands Red Cross – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao and the Programme Manager in Aruba on March 3. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the branches’ plans for the coming year and the support that they needed.

• Mr Marcel Daniels, head of the International Activities Department of the Netherlands Red Cross visited the three branches from April 14-21. The purpose of his visits was to get more information and support projects in the branches.


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SURINAME

WORLD HEALTH DAY

• The Suriname Red Cross held a walk-a-thon on March 31 in commemoration of World Health Day which was observed on April 7. The aim of the walk-a-thon was to mobilize people to become volunteers of the Red Cross and to sensitize them about donating blood. More than 2,400 people participated and it was a family affair which saw lots of parents and children attending. The walk-a-thon was a huge success and the Red Cross also took the opportunity to launch “Club 25” – a blood donation project.

FAIR

• The Suriname Red Cross had an information booth at the country’s “Agriculture and Made in Suriname Fair” which was held from April 27 -20. The Red Cross booth was quite popular and the youth representatives gave out information on all the Red Cross’ programmes and encouraged visitors to volunteer their time as well as to become a blood donor.

GRENADA

HEALTH

• Two Grenada Red Cross staff members participated in a week’s training for “Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) which was conducted by the Ministry of Health. They were later certified as VCT practitioners.

• The Health Department continued to provide training for some 35 volunteers who took part in the Cricket World Cup. Volunteers received training in the use of the automatic external defibrillator (AED), backboard stabilization, monitoring of vital signs, CPR and radio communications among other skills. During the World Cup, a team of eight Red Cross volunteers were short listed to form the medical intervention team at the national stadium and four for the anti-doping services.

TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS

• Health director, Ms Samantha Dickson participated in a high level meeting on drugs. The meeting was held in Rome, Ital from April 22-24. A new consensus document on drugs was formed and is currently awaiting ratification from the necessary authorities.