Red Cross wants to reach more people in next four years

The Vanuatu Red Cross Society is marking the 35th Anniversary of the Society today October 18 with the launching of its Strategy 2017-2020 as part of its celebration.

The anniversary includes also a partnership meeting on October 19 and an awards dinner night by the President of the Republic of Vanuatu.

“The Strategic Plan is the culmination of six months’ work and consultation with staff, members and volunteers, as well as stakeholders and communities,” a statement from the Vanuatu Red Cross Society reads.
“The plan has 4 goals: save lives and strengthen resilience to disasters and crises; enable healthy and save living; promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace; build a stronger, safe sustainable, accountable and diverse national society.

Xavier Watt uploading Non Food Item's Reliefs with Sanma Red Cross Volunteers 

“These goals will help the Red Cross to achieve its mission: “To prevent and alleviate suffering by working with communities and partners providing quality humanitarian services to vulnerable people, in accordance with Fundamental Principles of the Movement”.

The Vanuatu Red Cross Chief Executive Officer, Jacqueline de Gaillande, says the main change in direction will be the decentralization of Red Cross work from headquarters to the branches.

“We will be driven by volunteers and members in our branches.

“A strong branch network is critical for our sustainability and for our responsibilities to the Vanuatu government,” says Madam Jacqueline de Gaillande.

Vanuatu Red Cross currently has 5 branches in the province of Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa and Tafea.

The plan also mentions investing more time and resources in Red Cross volunteers, forming new domestic partnerships and helping communities to become more resilient to disasters and emergencies.

The launch will be attended by government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, friends and partners of the Red Cross, Vanuatu Red Cross board, management, members, volunteers and staff.

VACANCY FULLTIME POSITION: LIVELIHOODS, GENDER & CHILD PROTECTION SUPERVISOR

Vanuatu Red Cross Society, working jointly with the support of the Australian Red Cross, is seeking applications for a dynamic and highly motivated person to immediately fill the position of Livelihoods, Gender & Child Protection Supervisor to join its VRCS team in Port Vila.

Qualifications and Profile required:

·         Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline

·         Skills and experience in livelihoods program management and/or gender and protection

·         Strong financial management skills

·         Excellent interpersonal skills

·         Effective time management skills

·         Well organized

·         Able to work both as part of a team and with minimal supervision

·         Capable and confident public speaker and trainer

·         Integrity

·         Current driver’s license with clean driving record

·         Willing to travel as required

Knowledge & Skills:

·         Prior experience managing community development or disaster recovery programs

·         Experience in community consultation and stakeholder engagement

·         Proven experience managing financial information and program budgets

·         Livelihoods and/or gender and protection experience desirable

·         Understanding of gender, inclusion and protection principles

·         Excellent communication skills in Bislama

·         Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English

·         Knowledge of the Vanuatu context and cultural traditions 

·         Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel

·         Current drivers license

·         Knowledge of the Red Cross Movement is an asset

VRCS is an organization involved in emergency, early recovery and development programs. Therefore, all VRCS staff have to be available at any time in order to respond to any emergency work, should the need arise.

All Vanuatu Red Cross staff must agree to and sign the Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct as well as providing a current police clearance. This is a condition of employment.

Interested applicants are invited to pick up a more detailed job description of this position at Vanuatu Red Cross Office (located at No 2 opposite ABM No2), or send request by mail to:  recruitment@redcrossvanuatu.com

Submit your application letter with CV and copies of Certificates and References directly to our Head Office or via email: recruitment@redcrossvanuatu.com or Post addressed to HR Department, Vanuatu Red Cross Society PO Box 618, Port Vila.   Contact Person:   Joanna Kalpokas – 27418

Applications close on Monday 24th October 2016 at 5.00pm.

THE RED CROSS DONATES BOATS IN TORBA

Signature of MoU in Mataka (Gaua Island, Banks Islands, Torba Province) with representatives of Health Center and the Red Cross

The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), supported by the French Red Cross (FRC), donated two boats to health centers and one to Torba Province in 2015/2016.

In December last year, the Red Cross (RC) donated two boats along with equipment to Loh (Torres Islands) and to Mataka (Gaua Island, Banks Islands) Health Centers. In February this year, a third boat was donated to Torba Province in Sola (Vanualava, Banks Islands). “The RC activities in Torba tend to decrease with only one project left at the end of December this year. However, we want these boats to continue benefitting the extremely remote populations of Torres and Banks Islands, most of them we have been working with for 6 years. This is the reason why we donated them to these actors.” - explains Julien Lamberti, former RC Head of Project for the Disaster Risk Reduction project “Together Becoming Resilient” currently being implemented in the region.

Boat Donation to Loh Health Centre (Torres Islands, Torba Province) with representatives of the Health Center and of the Red Cross

In order to formalize the donations, tripartite Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between beneficiary Health Centers (Torba Province for the third boat), the Health Department of Torba Province and the VRCS. From the signature of the agreements onwards, the Health Centers and Torba Province have been authorized to use the boats as they will. Nonetheless and until the end of the RC project, the boats will remain available to the Red Cross and its staff if when needed. “The 3 boats will be used to take care of approximately 3,000 people, in areas where it can take up to two days of walk to reach the communities. The two firsts will give the inhabitants access to minimum health care, and the third one will be available for assessments and distributions in case of disaster. The Province has always been a major Red Cross partner for disaster risk reduction.” - Julien concludes.

VANUATU RED CROSS ANNUAL GALA NIGHT

Hi everyone the Vanuatu Red Cross Annual Gala Night will take place this month on the 25 of June at the newly refurbished Holiday Inn Resort!

The Theme is: "Glories of the Roman Empire" and it promises to be a fun filled night! Buffet dinner, raffle, prizes for best costumes!
Dress: Ancient Rome, Greece or Egypt!
Get your togas & Roman sandals on and come join the party!!

This year we are raising funds for Disaster Preparedness and disaster response!

Spaces are limited! Only 6,500Vt per person!

To purchase your tickets please contact the Vanuatu Red Cross on (+678) 27418 or email vicepresident@redcrossvanuatu.com or ceo@redcrossvanuatu.com

Please tell, forward and share this message on your personal FB page and with all your friends and relatives.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!