AGEING INTERVIEW - VRCS MALAMPA BRANCH

As part of our ongoing collaboration and partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Vanuatu Red Cross Society has been requested to assist MoH to conduct a Study on Health and Care Needs and Support in all Provinces in Vanuatu. This study is also aligned with the current low rate of immunization in Vanuatu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health of Vanuatu (MoH) with support from the VRCS Malampa Branch and 3 Red Cross volunteers conducted a study to assess the health and care circumstances, experiences, and expectations of older people in Vanuatu, as well as the current national policy context surrounding ageing, health, and care. This study requires interviewing people above 60 years old using one-to-one interviews. Participants were selected with the support of clinics and health centres on the basis of their age, gender, language and locality to ensure that a diverse sample of participants is represented in the study. The information collected during this study will serve to promote healthy ageing policy development at a national level in Vanuatu. It will provide guidance to Ministries and key stakeholders in order to propose durable solutions to support the health and care of people across Vanuatu as they age.

The mission includes interviewing of 12 older people, writing stories, recording voice audio, and taking video clips and photographs to use as part of the study.

AGEING INTERVIEW - VRCS MALAMPA BRANCH

AGEING INTERVIEW - VRCS MALAMPA BRANCH

AGEING INTERVIEW - VRCS MALAMPA BRANCH

AGEING INTERVIEW - VRCS MALAMPA BRANCH

Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Awareness in Pentecost, Penama Province

It’s a natural process, but when women and girls don’t have the things they need to manage menstruation – like access to water, privacy, information and hygiene products – it can be a serious health risk. Problems like urinary tract infections can happen that can even cause future infertility and problems during childbirth. That’s why the Vanuatu Red Cross Society is working to help make sure women and girls in Penama have everything they need for good menstrual hygiene.

In partnership with the Ministry of Health through the Protection, Gender and Inclusion and Disaster Law, Dignity, Access, Participation and Safety (DAPS), VRCS Health Assistant and volunteers in Penama Branch have been providing awareness to 5 targeted communities-CP1 CP2 in Pentecost, Penama Province on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Child Protection (CP), and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Child Abuse (PSEAH), Nutrition training, Food Nutrition, HYGIENE PROMOTION, F-DIAGRAM and Harassment. Menstruation Hygiene Management (MHM) is something we don’t often talk about – but sikmun or Menstruation is a part of life! However, in disasters, these challenges can be increased.

Women and girls in targeted communities in Pentecost, Penama Province took part in an awareness sessions by VRCS Volunteers to learn how to manage their health and well-being and how the menstrual cycle functions as part of the female reproductive system. The sessions enable girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and understand why staying in the community is so important for their future.

Nutrition Awareness - Pentecost, Penama Province

Planting crops is one thing, but getting enough good, healthy food for our families is sometimes another.

With support from the Penama Sub Branch Volunteers, The Nutrition awareness was conducted in targeted communities in Pentecost, Penama Province on the appropriate utilization of a variety of food sources and demonstration of cooking sessions on maximizing nutrition from locally available food supplies/sources.

This is to help the targeted communities in Pentecost to Vulnerable households have access to sustainable means of food production and markets through an inclusive approach to food security.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society

#PENAMA_Volunteers

INDUCTION training

A new week beginning with another training. As we approach cycle season the Shafa Red Cross volunteer mobilize themselves by going through the INDUCTION training to get themselves ready to respond any time a disaster strike.

The Vanuatu Red Cross Society Shefa Branch this week conducted a one-day induction training with 16 Shefa branch volunteers at the Vanuatu Red Cross Head Quarter. The Volunteers went through the VRCS Vision, Mission, and the 7 key fundamental principles that guide them during an operation.

Logistics Coordination Meeting

With cyclone season well underway, we need to be prepared to respond if disaster strikes.

Our hard-working team of Logistics support crew are spending 3 days this week through the Logistics Coordination Meeting with the Vanuatu Red Cross Society SHEFA BRANCH Volunteers to carry out the yearly stock Inventory of Non-Food Items (NFIs) and Covid -19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and also check the Health and Hygiene Kits if they are updated. This preparation is to equip and prepare volunteers and everyone towards any Natural Disasters expected during the upcoming months or in the future.

A big thank you to the amazing Vanuatu Red Cross Society SHEFA BRANCH Volunteers for working behind the scenes in the warehouse and container storages doing Stock Inventory of NFIs and Covid -19 PPEs.

Vanuatu Red Cross Society

#SHEFA_BRANCH_VOLUNTEERS

Vanuatu Red Cross Society SHEFA BRANCH Volunteers

PGI, CP, and PSEAH awareness at the targeted communities in Pentecost, Penama Province

Background

Vanuatu is ranked as the second most vulnerable country in the world, a context which is characterized by the frequency of hazard events, lack of basic social services in the countryside and remote islands and a livelihood based on subsistence agriculture. The situation is further exacerbated by the impact of climate change which heightens food insecurity and puts at risk the development gains that took years to establish. Women in particular bear the brunt of the cascading effect of these impacts at the household and community levels. The marginalization of women in the economic sector and meaningful participation in the decision-making process remain a challenge.

The recent series of hazard events underlines the importance of enhancing the resilience of communities to continue to adapt and persevere in times of crisis, although there are no reported or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Vanuatu to date, the threat of the pandemic reaching the shores of the remote islands cannot be discounted. Since the international border restrictions came into effect in April, COVID-19 has impacted the tourism sector which is a major contributor to the local economy. Massive losses in tourism revenues created a domino effect down to the level of the subsistence economy. The rippling impacts. of the pandemic has increased the vulnerability of people in the countryside and further lessened their coping capacity to meet basic needs. The succeeding impact of Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold left a large swathe of devastation across Sanma, Malampa and Panama. The damage to infrastructure provides a graphic image of the calamity but also obscures the everyday struggles of marginalised communities in

Vanuatu.

Purpose

·         Promote Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and other practices that dignifies and increases women’s self-confidence.

·         VRCS will support RCVs for ongoing hygiene promotion including household water treatment and storage and COVID-19 awareness within their communities.

·         Protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) sensitisation among CDCCCs and village authorities.

·         Nutrition awareness in communities on the appropriate utilisation of a variety of food sources.

·         Demonstration cooking sessions on maximizing nutrition from locally available food supplies/sources.

Objectives 

·       Understanding menstrual hygiene is important for women and girls to ensure that their being part of a food and supply chain is not disrupted and discriminated against. Empowering women with MHM will boost women and girls’ self-confidence and dignity.

·         Creating an enabling environment for women to participate freely without fear of discrimination.

·         Vulnerable households have access to sustainable means of food production and markets through an inclusive approach to food security.

·         Mechanisms that enable women’s protection and inclusion in household and community decision-making are in place.

PGI, CP, and PSEAH awareness at the targeted communities in Pentecost, Penama Province

PGI, CP, and PSEAH awareness at the targeted communities in Pentecost, Penama Province

Nutrition training and cooking MHM, HYGIENE PROMOTION, PGI F-DIAGRAM

What is PERT?

This week the Vanuatu Red Cross Society SANMA Branch is undergoing four days of The provincial emergency Response Team (PERT). It is really great to see that 20 Volunteers in Sanma Branch with different skills mindsets and capacities they have in different sectors like Shelter, Finance, PMER, DRM, Logistics, WatSan, Health and many more came together to learn and understand PERT training.

The provincial emergency Response Team (PERT) is composed of local Red Cross staff and volunteers based at National Society Head Quarter (NS HQ) and branches.

It is a RESPONSE tool developed to support the National Society’s response in times of an emergency/disaster event in the islands that exceeds the local capacities of the CRCV and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Branches across the country.

They may be dispatched outside of their own branches.

20 Volunteers in Sanma Branch attending PERT training.

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI), and Child protection activity in VRCS Head Quarter and Tanna Island.

Background

Vanuatu Red Cross Society is a leading humanitarian organization in Vanuatu that promotes inclusion within its works and humanitarian services and addresses the social issues and violence concerning the people of Vanuatu and also recognizes children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and that all children have the right to be safe and protected. Furthermore, it promotes positive humanitarian values through its youth network and ensures that there is peace in communities through its programs in times of pre-disasters and emergency response. The VRCS PGI team and IFRC PGI manager will be working together in developing the first-ever Prevention, Sexual, Exploitation Abuse, and Harassment policy and revising and integrating PGI activities in all VRCS programs. This will be taking place at the VRCS HQ office on the date of 7th November to 18th November 2022.

Objectives of the activity

The objectives of this activities are to:

·         Ensure that PSEAH is rooted on the seven-fundamental principal of red cross and red crescent movement.

·         To Ensure VRCS staff and volunteers understand the national society’s responsibility to protect children from exploitation and abuse regardless of their nationality, culture, ethnicity, gender, religious or political beliefs, socio-economic status, family or criminal background, or physical or mental health.

·         Ensure that Prevention, Sexual, Exploitation abuse and Harassment is integrated in all VRCS programs.

Expected Results:

By the end of the activity, the audience will:

·          Staff and volunteers are able to define PSEAH in a holistic manner in addressing any PSEAH related issues in the community.

·          Be able to use the Prevention, Sexual, Exploitation Abuse and Harassment policy.

·          Be equipped with knowledgeable skills to assess the vulnerability of a community.

·          Have ideas about how to create a protective environment within their communities and activities/projects.

·         Contexture to community and school based to be able to understand the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent minimum standard of protection, gender, and inclusion, and PSEAH when engaging with the community during a pre-disaster and disaster situation.

Scope of the activity

ACTIVITY METHODOLOGY

The overall activity is designed based on the program outputs that mirror the program objectives.

·         Lecturing – Providing relevant information to VRCS staff and volunteers to equip and enable them to conduct the PGI, CP, and PSEAH activity to the targeted community to ensure that all beneficiaries understand the PGI, CP and PSEAH when working with or may have contact with the vulnerable ones during a pre-disasters and disasters.

·         Discussions – The learning approach provides participants space for sharing their understanding and empowering each other to be able to prevent children from exploitation, and abuse and know about the PGI.

·         Activity/scenarios – Help participants become self-aware of the issues that are often happening during a disaster/crisis and know the needs of vulnerable ones, and how to address them.

VANUATU RED CROSS-NATIONAL Roles and Responsibilities

·         Lead: The Prevention, Sexual, Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and PGI is led by Lindah Peter and Nunia Vucukula (IFRC delegate).

- The PGI training in Tafea Branch is facilitated by Jessica Binihi - Vanuatu Red Cross Society Volunteer Officer.

Timeline

Approximately 7th of November to 19th of November 2022.

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch) - IFRC Delegate.

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch) - IFRC Delegate.

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch) - IFRC Delegate.

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch Youth Volunteer Presenting)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch Youth Volunteer Presenting)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch Youth Volunteer Presenting)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch Youth Volunteer Presenting)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch Youth Volunteer Presenting)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Tafea Branch)

Protection, Gender, Inclusion (PGI) Participants (Shefa Branch)

Software Training VRCS Branch Officers

VRCS Branch Officers attending the software training at VRCS HQ.

Now are days, the world is going under a digital transformation. Thus, our NS staffs needs to adapt by building our staff capacity to meet the standard. Furthermore, this training also in line with the NS strategic plan 2022 to 2030 Transformation #6; Undergoing a digital     transformation point b.

The purpose of this is training is to train our NS staffs to enhance their capacity building on the software we daily used in our computer to do our daily work (Reporting, database, calculation, etc…

Objectives

•       Build VRCS Branch staff Officers and Volunteers capacity in MS Excel (calculation, familiar with different taps, formatting cells, etc.

•       Build VRCS Branch staff Officers and Volunteers capacity in MS Word (typing, familiar with different taps, layout, etc.

•       Build VRCS Branch staff Officers and Volunteers capacity in MS Power Point

•       Refresher for staffs and VRCS Branch staff Officers and Volunteers.

Responsibilities

Jeremiah Bosese, Henry Jackson or IT working Group to make every possibility for this training to be organize for NS Staffs (venue, budget, ToR, catering, logistics running, inform all staffs about the training, etc.

Mr. Tordjoerm C. Pedersen, Danish Good Will Ambassador, EUR Logistics Delegate visits VRCS

Mr. Tordjoerm C. Pedersen, Danish Good Will Ambassador, EUR Logistics Delegate and VRCS Staff.

Meet Mr. Tordjoerm C. Pedersen, He is from Denmark and represents Danish Red Cross. Mr. Pedersen is a world tour adventure, an explorer as a Danish Goodwill Ambassador and he is one of the most travel people on this planet. He left Denmark on October 2013 and have not been home now for 9 years as he is meeting up with all the Red Cross Societies all around the world, some places called Red Crescent and in Israel is Red Crystal. He travels to EVERY country without flying! Vanuatu is country number 200 that he visits completely without flying and completely without returning home.

Since today he stated on his visit to Vanuatu Red Cross Society, he met with the movement in 196 countries from 200 countries. So, there are different things done in different countries depending on the situation and how much time they have together, but quite often part of his visiting been to is to promote the National Society, invite people to volunteer services, raise funds and become a part of the movement in one way or the other.  In one way you could say it is a symbolic connection of the movement all around the world. So that is part of what Mr. Tordjoerm C. Pedersen does and he also help to raise funds and awareness for the Red Cross in General.

“When I live then I put on a different shirt where I have my project uniform called Once upon a Saga and then am promoting the country so right now am promoting Red Cross, the rest of the time I promote countries. So now I am in the beautiful Vanuatu and I am promoting it on social media platforms of where ever I can post about. When I go to the next Country then I promote the good in that country and followed with the next country and so on,” says Mr. Tordjoerm C. Pedersen, Danish Good Will Ambassador, EUR Logistics Delegate.