Maldives: A big thanks for tomorrow

23 April 2008
By Necephor Mghendi-International Federation information and reporting delegate in the Maldives. Photos by Rawena Russell, International Federation

It was lunchtime on Saturday 29 March. The beat of drums silenced the usual roaring of trucks and heavy construction machinery. While the beat was unmistakably bodu beru – a local style – the vocals had a callow sharpness and a carefree pitch.

The drummers and vocalists were school children, living at the moment in an internally displaced persons camp on nearby Ungoofaaru Island who were, for the first time, visiting their future home on Dhuvafaaru

The children’s mission was two-fold; to see their future community and to say ‘thank you’ to the migrant workers who have been toiling for over two years ― under the scorching Maldivian sun ― to transform the previously uninhabited island into a modern town for 600 families.

As the rhythm built to climax and the song continued to a frenzied crescendo, the more than 300 construction workers from Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and beyond joined in the clapping and dancing. The tune was definitely Maldivian, but the moves were as diverse as their nationalities.

Salleh Ahmad, a Bangladeshi labourer, was dancing his heart out, unable to hide his joy. “The children’s visit is great because it has added excitement to our normal working day,” he said. “It is a refreshing change to see young faces and have the opportunity to interact with them.”

Echoing Salleh’s words, a jolly Chong Koang Yih from Singapore said: “It is indeed an enjoyable experience to meet with the kids and watch their performances.

“Knowing that they are grateful for our work really motivates me. Helping them to build up their home has been my lifetime honour, and I am glad that I have had the chance to contribute to this project.”

The children had arrived from Ungoofaaru late in the morning. Upon arrival, they went through a routine safety briefing ― a must for all visitors to the busy construction site. They were then given the much-waited tour of the island; they saw the houses, pre-school, primary school, secondary school, auditorium, community administrative building and the health centre – no corner of their soon-to-be new home was left unexplored.

Many of the children were overwhelmed by the experience. Rashid, who was only eight when the tsunami struck, said: “What we want is not for the work to be finished in a hurry. We want Dhuvaafaru to be a role model island in every way.”

“Even if we look into our future, I can’t think of a better place. I am very happy to be able to live on such a nice island,” he added as many of his friends nodded in agreement.

After sharing a meal and drinks with the workers, Rashid and the boys continued with their entertaining performances while the girls made colour paintings bearing messages of thanks. They also took pictures with the workers, and of the houses, promising to have them developed and enlarged to share with the workers as mementos.

Four girls ― Naseeha, Tholha, Soniyaa and Raagiya ― painted a beautiful picture depicting a smiling sun, complete houses, and their green island. Presenting the painting to the workers, Naseeha said: “This [Dhuvaafaru] is our future. Thank you for all the things you are doing.”

Given the honour of saying the last word before they returned to Ungoofaaru, Raagiya summed: “We will never forget all the help you are providing for us. We would like to thank you in the name of all Kandholhudhoo people.”

As the children left, the team on Dhuvafaaru went back to work. The island is expected to be ready by the end of 2008. Time is of the essence.

An island home

When the tsunami swept across the Maldives on 26 December 2004, it completely destroyed the island of Kandholhudhoo, leaving more than 3,600 people homeless. It was immediately clear that these families needed to rebuild their lives in a new and safer settlement.

Following an extensive study, the Maldives’ National Disaster Management Centre identified the uninhabited island of Dhuvaafaru as the most suitable settlement area based on its geographical characteristics such as its comparatively high natural ground level, its size and its reef, which is important in providing protection from tidal surges.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies signed an agreement with the Government of Maldives in May 2005 to build a new community on Dhuvaafaru Island. The International Federation has funded construction of 562 houses as well as other community infrastructure such as a community administrative building, a pre-school, a primary school, a secondary school, an auditorium, water supply and sewer systems, a sports complex, roads, and a power supply system supplemented by solar energy. Also part of the project is a health centre funded by the German Red Cross and an additional 38 houses funded by the government.

Pending completion of the project later this year, the community of Kandholhudhoo is being sheltered in five internal displaced persons camps; Ungoofaaru, Hulhudhuffaru, Alifushi, Meedhoo, and Maduvvari ― with the majority in Ungoofaaru.

News Story, Maldives, South Asia, IFRC, Available on: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/news/08/08042301/index.asp

Television Ad: Calling out for Volunteers

This video advertisement in dhivehi, is currently being broadcasted three times a day on Television Maldives.

Serving more as an announcement, it depicts the formation of a national society being only possible with the joining of hands of eager volunteers. Volunteers who can react to catastrophes of natural disasters and create awareness of preventative measures to the betterment of community life, are much needed for the society to exist.

Here is the link to Television Maldives (TVM); www.tvm.gov.mv

With the hope of spreading the message nation-wide, radio version and feedback programme is currently being developed and will be broadcasted soon.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The Maldivian Red Crescent Society once created will be part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent international family, recognised around the world as the Red Cross and Red Crescent ‘Movement’.

For in-depth information of this global humanitarian mission please visit the websites of;

The International Committee of The Red Cross (ICRC) www.icrc.org

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also known as ‘The Federation’ www.ifrc.org

The following links provide a good source of information on some of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partner national societies that responded to the Tsunami crisis in the Maldives and significantly participated in the post-tsunami reconstruction efforts.

American Red Cross www.redcross.org

Australian Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.au

British Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.uk

Canadian Red Cross http://www.redcross.ca

Chinese Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.cn

French Red Cross http://www.croix-rouge.fr

German Red Cross http://drk.de

Hong Kong Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.hk

The web-directory of the Movement on the blogroll provides a central directory of useful addresses or alternatively, please click this link; http://www.ifrc.org/address

Maldivian Red Crescent Society formation Poster

The poster image currently being circulated throughout the Maldives, represents the formation process of our National Society. An English and Dhivehi version has been produced by the Interim Planning Group (IPG).

A Television advertisement will be aired on Television Maldives (TVM) soon.

The Maldivian Red Crescent Society is to be born soon!

Since 2005, Maldivians have been working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Government of Maldives to form a Maldivian Red Crescent Society, an organization that would be in a position to respond to the needs of most vulnerable people in the Maldives. The National Society formation process is currently in its final stage, and we are optimistic that the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) will be able to hold its first General Assembly before mid 2008 and elect its first Governing Board.

Why does Maldives need a Red Crescent Society?

There are 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world. This unique network forms the backbone of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. National Societies support the public authorities in their own countries as independent auxiliaries to the government in the humanitarian field. National Society volunteers are often the first on the scene when a disaster strikes and remain active within affected communities long after everyone else has come and gone.

In the absence of a National Society in the Maldives, it is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and National Societies of other countries – American, Australian, British, Canadian, French and German Red Cross societies – who have been involved in providing humanitarian assistance since the 26 December 2004 tsunami disaster. These partners have been working with many dedicated Maldivians who are committed to continue serving humanity way after completion of tsunami recovery programmes. It is therefore essential that a Maldivian National Society – the Maldivian Red Crescent – is formed to carry on humanitarian work. Every interested Maldivian would be able to either serve it as a volunteer or as a member, or to support it financially through donations.

What has been done so far on the formation of MRC?

With the support of the International Federation, a committee called the Interim Planning Group (IPG), comprising of 20 elected and nominated volunteers representing Maldivians from Male’, the Atolls, Maldives Government and members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement present in the Maldives was formed. This committee was tasked to work on the formal creation of the Maldivian Red Crescent.

According to the IPG’s responsibilities, representatives from Male’ and Atolls have been elected, the Rules of Procedure have been finalised, and the amended version of the MRC Statutes was submitted to the Attorney General’s office in January 2008. With these, all the requirements to hold the first General Assembly are in place, pending approval by the Government.

Furthermore, the IPG has formed a programmes and services sub-committee to meet with all members of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in the Maldives as well as with some groups of volunteers such as the First Aid Practitioners Network, to discuss about activities MRC can potentially develop in the future. Some possible activities include disaster response, disaster preparedness and first aid training, work to control and prevent diseases such as dengue fever, training of island communities on safe water and waste management, creating awareness on issues such as discrimination and road safety as well as working with the youth. It is important to note that all activities of the Maldivian Red Crescent will be based primarily on the needs of the most vulnerable communities.

What next after the MRC formation is formally approved by the Government?

Once the necessary documentation is approved by the Government, you can become a volunteer or member of MRC. Volunteer registration process and membership recruitment will only be done after MRC is legally formed and the first General Assembly is held, hopefully by mid 2008.

In the interim, elected representatives from each Atoll represent the interest of the Atolls in the formation process. So, whilst we wait for the Government approval, if you are interested in Red Cross or Red Crescent volunteering, especially in islands or Atolls where some Red Cross assistance activity is ongoing (construction of houses, water sanitation, waste management, psycho-social support, etc), please approach the responsible officials in your island or Atoll. They might find a way of utilizing your skills or services. Soon after the MRC is formed, announcements will be made, and you would be able to register as a volunteer or a member.

*Article from Information Bulletin, March 2008, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)