This week, a team of Vanuatu Red Cross trainers and volunteers commenced the facilitation of a series of ‘Safe Shelter Awareness’ workshops aimed at assisting 900 households in communities across West Tanna to rebuild their homes in a way that they will better resist future natural disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s annual gala night took place on Saturday 31st October at Warwick Le Lagon Resort in Port Vila. Proceeds raised from the ‘Bollywood’ themed fundraiser will go towards Red Cross’s El Nino response, in particular towards the purchase of two portable desalination units, which will help affected communities across Vanuatu to access potable drinking water.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society's annual fundraising gala event will take place at Farea Pacifik, Warwick Le Lagon Resort, this Saturday 31st October. This year, the proceeds raised during this event, will go towards our “El Nino” response and we hope to raise enough money to buy 2 portable desalination units, which will aid those communities around Vanuatu who are currently struggling with lack of potable water.
It's been 7 months since Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu with devastating force. This infographic helps to explain the progress that Red Cross has made in their recovery efforts since this time and how they're helping the country's most vulnerable. Click here to view a downloadable PDF version of the infographic.
Source: Dickinson Tevi, VRCS
Happy Global Handwashing Day! To mark the occasion our health team spent some time with a group of pikininis in Paama community, Seaside, earlier today teaching them how to wash their hands properly. Teaching children good handwashing skills can help keep them safe and healthy, and avoid missed school days. Let’s keep children healthy by encouraging them to always practice good handwashing habits! Not sure if you're washing your hands correctly? Go to http://1.usa.gov/1C92Q57
Red Cross was the first organisation to carry out official relief operations, distributing essential supplies to affected people in the first month following Cyclone Pam. Six months on, we've provided assistance to an estimated 39,915 people affected by TC Pam in Vanuatu.
The first few months following the cyclone focused on relief – making sure that people could survive in the aftermath of the disaster. Now, the focus has moved to longer term recovery, to reconstruction and to being better prepared for future disasters. Following the relief activities, the recovery priorities for Red Cross in Vanuatu are to provide the means for cyclone-affected households to rebuild their damaged houses, have safe places for refuge and improve access to safe water, especially considering the increased likelihood of extended drought caused by El Nino.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society with the support of Australian Red Cross hosted an award ceremony this evening to recognize individuals who made an outstanding contribution towards Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s Cyclone Pam emergency response. Those honoured included members of their board and staff as well as humanitarians from a range of organisations both nationally and internationally
To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Vanuatu Red Cross Society facilitated a Disaster Risk Reduction training workshop in Epau which was aligned with this year’s theme: traditional, indigenous and local knowledge, which compliment modern science and add to individual and community resilience. Led by community elders and sponsored by NDMO, VMGD, SPREP and IFRC, the purpose of the training was to teach community members about traditional cyclone shelter construction methods.
An official event was held at the “Tut Blong Pig” lounge at Parliament House on October 7th to mark the launch of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Handbook for Parliamentarians here in Vanuatu. The launch of the handbook, created by Vanuatu Red Cross Society with support from Australian Red Cross, the Australian Government and The International Committee of the Red Cross, signals an important step to ensuring the effective application of the International Humanitarian Law.
Today marks 50 years since the implementation of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s seven fundamental principles. To honour the occasion they are celebrating and reaffirming the relevance of its Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality – the core of its humanitarian commitment, values and mission.
