Background
July 2003 - Presidents and representatives of Caribbean
RC National Societies agree to create "a Red Cross Disaster
Management Network" that will work on strategic direction
and peer support to National Societies. An Ad Hoc Group
begins work on behalf of the Network - Antigua and Barbuda,
Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis , Saint
Lucia , an IFRC representative and a representative of
the OSB.
Objectives
- To improve the profile of the Red Cross through its
work in disaster management /risk reduction.
- To integrate the views of the region's National Societies
and Overseas Branches, to reflect what NS and OSB would
like done, and the way in which they would like them
to be achieved. Policy & Strategic Development
of the movement.
- To improve the information sharing with regional
agencies to create participation opportunities and
access to funding. Provide peer support.
Terms of Reference
- Conduct periodic examination of disaster management/risk
reduction documents and trends to ensure that they
are relevant, up-to-date and reflect the current state
of RC initiatives within the region.
- Advocate for the establishment of disaster management/risk
reduction policy and legislation, both regional and
international.
- Promote knowledge and information sharing among National
Societies and Overseas Branches.
- Service the relationship between individual National
Societies and their respective governments (With emphasis
on how to make governments understand the importance
of financial contributions to the Red Cross).
- Improve knowledge and understanding of the structure
and mandate of the main agencies that have interest
in disaster management/risk reduction, in order to
minimize duplication of efforts and maximize cooperation.
Structure
The Caribbean Red Cross Disaster Management Network
will work closely with the Federation through an Advisory
Board, which will meet twice annually.
(In the interim, a Secretariat would be responsible
for documentation and other arrangements pertinent to
the functioning of the Network).
The Advisory Board will comprise of no more than five
members - 3 National Societies (one from each Sub Regional
Group), 1 representative for Overseas Branches and 1
representative from the IFRC. Technical advice can be
sought for particular projects.
Membership on the Advisory Board will be on a rotational
basis (proposed every 2 years). Will be by selection
process through criteria to include a wide knowledge
of Red Cross activities.
National Societies will submit nominees based on criteria.
Candidates will be selected to the Advisory Board by
the Federation (in the first instance only) and National
Societies thereafter.
The Network retains the right to veto any potential
Advisory Board Member.
Priority Areas of Action
- Information sharing among NS and OSB to promote effectiveness.
- Best Practices (telecommunications, procurement,
logistics, community based disaster management, etc)
- Communication and Advocacy
- Volunteer Management
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