South Asia Link is a monthly e-newsletter from the South Asia Regional Delegation (SARD) of the International Federation. The newsletter is a forum for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its partners in South Asia featuring stories and events from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Archive for August, 2008
Helpman and the Red Cross Red Crescent Principles
August 14, 2008
A short educational cartoon showing the Seven Fundamental Principles which guide the worldwide Red Cross Red Crescent Movement;
Humanity ‘We Serve People but not systems’
Impartiality ‘We care for the victims and for the aggressors, alike’
Neutrality ‘We take initiative, but never sides’
Independence ‘We respond to the needs, but not to the kings’
Voluntary Service ‘We work around the clock, but never for personal gain’
Unity ‘We have many talents, but a single idea’
Universality ‘We respect nations, but our work knows no bounds’
Ideals and dilemmas
August 8, 2008Comments made to a previous post highlighted some issues that seem to be shared by a lot of people in the Maldives and throughout the world (see A Maldives Red Crescent Society or a Maldivian Red Crescent Society, or why not a Dhivehi Red Crescent Society?, 2008/07/20).
Groups of people come together for a cause and try to name that coming together in the most appropriate and symbolic way to satisfy all stakeholders. Sometimes the meaning is lost in translations as each individual has an independent and unique perspective of the world. It would be distressing if the mission of a cause is obstructed by its name.
In the instance of naming the Red Crescent society of Maldives, the term ‘Maldivian’ may be used as an adjective to show the society’s relation to the country not to mean the membership is limited to just people from the country itself (a noun would convey such a meaning). This terminology seems to convey the essence of a country more powerfully than its actual name in describing the unique activities a Maldivian society would do. In the Maldivian language, it could mean ‘dhivehi vanthakan’. A thinking shared throughout the Red Cross Red Crescent family of over 186 member countries, where each country has a unique specialism in their humanitarian efforts.
Sufara’s point about discriminatory practices within the daily lives of locals and toward expatriate laborers is very much a reality and something that we all should strive to get rid of (or at least moderate) in the Maldives. This highly contentious issue of malpractices towards human resources in the Maldives has also been reported in the World Disasters Report 2007 (Chapter 2, World Disasters Report 2007).
Adhering to the Seven Fundamental Principles of The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, Maldivian Red Crescent in formation highlights the commitment to anti-discriminatory measures and activities within their future programs. By increasing awareness of social discriminations within the community, humanitarian values and principles in the society can be harmonized; for locals and foreigner’s, at work or in leisure and for all ages, sex and creed.
A globally famous funk and soul music band Chocolate Milk with their 1975 hit song describes an inspirational solution to such dilemmas that goes beyond idealistic procrastinations, Action Speaks Louder than Words.
* World Disasters Report 2007: Focus on discrimination, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Chapter 2 Overcoming multiple disasters: discriminating against minorities, Box2.5 Paradise lost: migrant workers in the Maldives Page 54-56
Maldives First Aid Practitioners Network expands to Laamu Atoll
August 6, 2008The life saving skills of First Aid knowledge prepares you to the immediate steps of responding to situations requiring emergency and medical attention; whether at home, at school or at work. A group of keen volunteers from various professions and backgrounds have come together as a network with the aim of promoting First Aid throughout the Maldives; through community based awareness programs and training workshops.
First Aid Training and Services are being carried out nationwide by the Maldives First Aid Practitioners Network (MFAPN) in anticipation of facilitating what would be a core program of the soon to form Maldivian Red Crescent. The development of the network is supported by Faculty of Health Sciences and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies-Maldives Delegation.
As one of the key supporters for the formation of a Maldivian Red Crescent, the French Red Cross based in Laamu Atoll Gan recently facilitated a training session for a group of enthusiastic participants which included teachers, health and utility workers, youth development activists and students who had just recently completed their O’ level exams. All participants became certified First Aiders and members of the network.
Trainings as such are one of the ways the Maldives First Aid Practitioners Network meets their commitment to have a First Aider in every home.
First Aiders from Laamu Atoll
The group practices CPR: Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
Check out the feature of the First Aid training in the French Red Cross Newsletter, conducted by the Maldives First Aid Practitioners Network: French Red Cross Newsletter-July 2008
