Data & Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer

Meet Nicholson Naki from Malekula, Malampa Province who is one of Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) long time serving staff and a multitasker who serve for the VRCS since 2015 until recent is now resigning for another job opportunity within Vanuatu.

Before joining the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, Naki was studying at the University of the South Pacific (USP) at Emalus Campus in the field of an Information Technology (IT) and joining the VRCS as a volunteer in 2008 – 2009.

In 2015 to 2018 Naki came to join the French Red Cross as a Data and Monitoring Officer. Data and Monitoring on 4 projects i.e., TBR4, TBR5 SCP3 and North Tanna TC PAM Recovery and also helping out with the VRCS logistic team. In 2018 he was promoted to a Data GIS Officer for the French Red Cross and joins Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) Disaster Management (DM) team in 2018 as a Data Officer when the DM coordinator see the importance of Data Officer inside the DM Department. From July – November 2018 – he Implemented a DRR Project called Meji Jingu Project (6 months) funded by the Japanese Red Cross, in 10 Communities in West Ambrym.

In 2020 – 2022 Naki is Managing the Data and GIS for DM and also for the whole of Vanuatu Red Cross Society Head Quarter and its Branches in Vanuatu where everyone sees the importance of Data & GIS within Vanuatu Red Cross Society. He provides assistance to PMER in Data collection for project monitoring and supported the DM team in all disaster since 2018 to 2022 in data digitalization, Data collection and Data management and even provide IT Support to the VRCS head quarter staff and Branches, attend trainings online trainings, a number of workshops and joins the Asia Pacific Information Network (APIN).

“Those Trainings and Workshop has positively motivated me in the field of Information Management and GIS to provide effective support under the role of Data & GIS officer to HQ and Branches whenever needed,” says Nicholson Naki.

“Yumi tekem taem blo wishim yu all the best lo new job blo yum o blessing blo GOD bai istap oltaem with you, wife blo yum o ol bikinini blo yutufa,” says Nicholson Naki.

ON BEHALF OF THE VANUATU RED CROSS SOCIETY (VRCS), WE VRCS BRANCH from TORBA, PENAMA, SANMA, MALAMPA, SHEFA, TAFEA & VRCS VOLUNTEERS WOULD LOVE TO Thank you for all the support you have provided towards HQ and to every branches, WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ON YOUR NEW JOURNEY. May God Continue to Bless You.

VRCS will miss you but you are always welcome to visit VRCS at anytime and we are always happy to meet you greet you and seek advices from you - small world.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society

J 0 3 0 EXPRESSZ DESIGNS

Nicholson Naki from Malekula, Malampa Province - Data & Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer at VRCS

Disaster Risk Reduction and First Aid Training, in Eles Center School, Shefa province.

Our Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and First Aid Training team have been spending time last week in Eles Center School, Shefa province for an International Youth Cooperation Project (IYCP) working with teachers and committee members in group activities on identifying roles and responsibilities before, during and after a disaster and also in times of an emergency.

The training is to support the Ministry of Education & Training, Vanuatu to improve the capacities of school teachers and committee members in disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness and the First Aid Training also aims to promote teachers and students with lifesaving knowledge and skills in times of emergency and reduce the vulnerability of communities in Vanuatu to natural disasters through school-based disaster risk reduction awareness. The learning approach provides participants space for sharing their understanding and empowering each other to be able to support their schools to become resilient.

The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training was facilitated by Jessica Binihi (VRCS youth and Volunteer officer), Marceline Marango Shefa Red Cross Volunteer and Rebecca Sam (VRCS Shefa COVID-19 support officer) and First Aid Training was facilitated by Jocelyn Samuel, First Aid Officer.

“IYCP/DRR training has helped to deepen my understanding on Disaster Risk Reductions and terms and prepared me to be resilient in times of disaster. Adding on to that the IYCP/DRR training has given me confidence to be able to pass on this knowledge gained to my family, community and students through role modeling, making awareness and giving assistance before, during and after a disaster,” says Meriana Tatangis – Teacher at Eles Center School Nguna Island. Ministry of Education & Training, Vanuatu

Teachers and Committee in Eles Center School, Nguna Island - Shefa province

VRCS LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2022-2026

The Vanuatu Red Cross society (VRCS) has launched its strategic plans for the next five years.

Secretary General of VRCS, Dickinson Tevi says that since he started work with the VRCS over 10 years ago the VRCS has not launched a strategic plan until today.

"VRCS worked hard in collaboration with its stake holders and different branches in each province through many consultations to ensure that nobody is left out in the plan” says Mr Tevi. VRCS LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2022-2026

VRCS with its stake holders

Cash Transfer Program (CTP)

Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS), through its Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) team, was part of the Cash Transfer Program (CTP) National Advocacy Event organized by Oxfam in Vanuatu from 14th – 15th July 2022.

The primary purpose of the event was to advocate to the Vanuatu Government that Unblocked Cash Transfer can be used as a response program after a disaster and also during peacetime in terms of social protection. The successful 2-day event brought together over 40+ government advocates at the Provincial and National levels including VRCS Team.

Throughout the 2-days workshop, Oxfam presented the CVA overview as well as some key findings of the Unblocked Cash Response followed by panel discussions the second day. Below were the key topics for panel discussions during day 2.

Key Topic 1: Political and community Acceptance of Cash transfer.

Key Topic 2: Consortium approach through the innovative used of CVA in Vanuatu.

Key Topic 3: Impact of Cash transfer towards local economy & the Power of Choice and Dignity.

Key Topic 4: Integration of CVA & In-kind during response and recovery programs.

VRCS with other Unblocked Cash implementing partners, advocates on Key Topic : Consortium approach through the innovative used of CVA in Vanuatu. The partners reflected on their work since the UBC response was rolled out in 2020 to identify key strengths, challenges, lessons learned and develop recommendations to improve the CTP response model in Vanuatu. Some importance of the consortium approach was capacity building, sharing of experiences and delivering to wider areas in a short time frame.

“𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘩 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 3 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 6 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘖𝘹𝘧𝘢𝘮” 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘛𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘎𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘰𝘯 – 𝘊𝘝𝘈 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳, 𝘝𝘙𝘊𝘚.

#Fast #Easy #Cheap #RestoringChoice #SupportingBusinesses #RevivingLivelihoods #TugetaYumiStanap #CashWithDignity #CapacityBuilding #Partnership

UnBlocked Cash

Oxfam in Vanuatu

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Government advocates at the Provincial and National levels including VRCS Team.

VANUATU RED CROSS SOCIETY (VRCS) STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 - 2026 LAUNCHING!

Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) is proud to announce the launching of its next 5 year Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 on Friday 22 July 2022.

2022 is a significant year for the society because we will be celebrating our 40 years of establishment in Vanuatu (YUMI 40).

Vanuatu Red Cross Society, along with, key community supporters, Government Departments, Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) and Business Partners are key participants who will be invited to the launching ceremony. It will be an opportunity to learn:

• Who we are?

• What we do?

• Our Vision,

• Our Mission and Strategic Goals for the next 5 years.

VRCS Website: https://vanuaturedcross.squarespace.com/config/pages

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

VRCS STRATEGIC PLAN 2022 - 2026 LAUNCHING!

Vanuatu Red Cross Society Volunteers working at Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) program, Ministry of Health.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Vanuatu Red Cross Society through its volunteers are supporting the MoH to do data entry for Disease Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and Survey activities from MDA and Survey Books from last year 2021 in order for the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) program to know the result of these two activities. So, the Vanuatu Red Cross Society volunteers started doing the data entry since this date 23rd June 2022 until now.

Last year 2021, the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) program implemented Neglected Tropical Disease Mass Drug Administration (MDA) and Survey at Tafea Province on the month of November and December 2021. Mass Drug Administration is when treatments are given out of NTDs in the communities. The MDA activities happens only when we received report form Health Facilities because of the increase of NTDs cases within a community. During this MDA and Survey Activities, there are 17 MDA teams that carried out this MDA Operation with six MDA supervisor. So now the NTD program need to do MDA and Survey data to know the result of this activities

“Mi ting se hemi important from ol informations we mifala I enterem about ol Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) government (MoH) mo ol NGO I save usum blo kat wan clear picture about ol NTDs mo drawem up wan plan blo remouvum ol sickness ia lo ol community blo yumi. Wok ia hemi helpem me blo save usum some software mo Database we me no sta usum. Hemi helpem me blo aware about ol Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) we I sta affectem ol nara fellow citizens around lo Vanuatu. Mi glad blo be part lo this wok olsem wan volunteer plo VRCS as hemi expandem scope mo lukluk blo mi,” says Charles Joseph – VRCS Volunteer.

#Ministry_of_Health

Vanuatu Red Cross Society Volunteers - MoH Data entry

Charles Joseph - VRCS Volunteer - MoH Data entry

Vanuatu Red Cross Society Volunteers - MoH Data entry 2

VRCS talks about Climate Change in Vanuatu

With partnership with the Japanese Red Cross through the International Youth Cooperation Project Focuses on School Based Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate education integrated with First Aid in 34 focus schools across 6 provinces in Vanuatu. Climate change remains to be a major challenge for humanity.

Watch the video below to learn more on the impacts of climate change and how we all can contribute to reduce climate change to in Vanuatu.

Link to the video: https://youtu.be/FMzLBII-7tM

Asia Pacific Region award winning staff - Jessica Binihi

Meet Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s very own Asia Pacific Region award winning staff - Jessica Binihi, Youth Volunteer Officer at Vanuatu Red Cross Society.

It has been a while we had the Asia Pacific Youth Network Virtual Gathering in February 2020. We appreciate the strong commitment, the invaluable support and the significant contribution of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society youth representatives during the Gathering.

The meeting gathers together all the Asia Pacific Region like East Asia Youth Net Work, South East Asia Youth Net Work, Pacific Youth Net Work and South Asia Youth Net Work to meet youths from other national societies of the RCRC Movement, to share ideas on youth related matters and activities and how to better engage RCRC Youths. The meeting covers topics like, Disaster Resilience, Child safeguarding, Mental Health, Youth Futures in a Resilience Pacific, COVID-19 and Youths. Binihi’s presentation was based on Urban Context or Challenges & Needs.

“I was so fortunate out of many Asia Pacific Countries to share my experience on how I coordinate our youths here in Vanuatu to implement some activities under the Youth Urban Climate Action and Resilience Project,” says Jessica Binihi - Youth Volunteer Officer VRCS.

“Out from many Asia Pacific Countries I was so fortunate to be selected as one of the best speakers of the three days Virtual meeting and I was told that I will be receiving a gift from the committee soon.”

“And today thanks to the IFRC Office to the African Union & International Organizations and the committee of the Asia Pacific Youth Network for acknowledging my presentation through the form of gifts received today 29th June 2022 delivered to me by the VRCS Secretary General after his trip to Geneva Switzerland to participate in the IFRC General Assembly.“

We believe these topics can help promote youth empowerment and build the capacity of our youths and volunteers in Asia Pacific Region and Vanuatu.

We wish Jessica all the best in her future endeavors and may she continue to be a role model to the younger generation and others.

Background on Asia Pacific Youth Net Work.

Established in 2004 with the main aim to strengthen youth engagement in the movement and to further enhance youth development.

The Red Cross Red Crescent Asia Pacific Youth Net Work is a youth-led platform for coordination and collaboration among youth and for providing guidance for youth in National Societies in the Asia Pacific Region;

-          East Asia Youth Net Work

-          South East Asia Youth Net Work

-          Pacific Youth Net Work

-          South Asia Youth Net Work.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Vanuatu Red Cross Society

Jessica Binihi, Youth Volunteer Officer at Vanuatu Red Cross Society holding the gift from Asia Pacific Network.

VRCS Continues to roll out COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Malampa Province.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society in Malampa made up of trained volunteers and staff continues to support the Vanuatu Ministry of Health COVID-19 vaccine roll out to the people of Malampa Province.

"Now that Vanuatu has open its international boarder people are expecting the Delta variant, it is more deadly than omicron so we must be prepared and it is very important that we Get Vaccinated to protect ourselves and make a difference for our loved ones," says Elman Naror, VRCS Malampa Branch Dissemination and communication focal person.

Health_Promotions_Vanuatu

Vaccine roll out - VRCS Malampa Province.

Day 3 of the Global Health Security Conference Meeting

On day 3 of the Global Health Security Conference Meeting in Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center. Members of the Global Health Security Network including Vanuatu Red Cross Society discussed to understand on How to Elevate Influenza Preparedness in the Global Health Security Arena and Closing the Gap for new and improved vector control tools in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond.

The members further explore Strengthening Community Preparedness & Resilience to Epidemic Disease Threads in the Asia Pacific Region where Vanuatu Red Cross Society presents on Preparedness and Relationship and reflecting on COVID-19 Response in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society

Lindah Peter - Resilience, Health and WASH Coordinator, Presenting on behalf of the VRCS.

Lindah Peter - Resilience, Health and WASH Coordinator and Members of the Global Health Security Network.