FAQs އާންމު ސުވާލުތައް
The Maldivian Red Crescent in formation….
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What will the Maldivian Red Crescent Society be?
Once formed, the Maldivian National Society will be part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Volunteers will work in the largest worldwide humanitarian network to alleviate human suffering and protect human dignity.
As an independent voluntary organisation recognized by the Maldivian Law, MRC will be dedicated to serving vulnerable communities in the country. Volunteerism, motivated by the will to help people in need without any desire for gain will be the culture. MRC will focus on community development and preparedness in key areas of Health, Disaster Management and promotion of Humanitarian Principles and Values.
Why is such a society needed?
A society of volunteers and members trained and aware to protecting the community and alleviating vulnerabilities can reduce drastic risks more effectively, and react much faster to unfortunate natural disasters such as the Tsunami of 2004.
Is MRC going to assist communities only for natural disasters?
MRC in its growing capacity will strive to provide social services under its core areas which cover reducing vulnerabilities at a community based level, not just assistance in natural disasters. National societies of other countries and IFRC aided the large scale Tsunami recovery due to the absence of a Maldivian Red Crescent at the time. Such assistance by the Movement is guaranteed in future if the registered Maldivian society requests so in its under-capacity to deal with another unfortunate disaster such as the Tsunami in 2004.
What can MRC do for the community?
Besides MRCs existence to serve humanity a reliable pool of trained practitioners and eager volunteers and supportive members will be born through MRC activities and programmes. This group of keen individuals will aid and facilitate to increase social standards of the local communities. Branches and units will require human resources to be active and operational, therefore voluntary work will be created within the community.
Who will be in the Society?
Now: MRC formation activities are governed and managed by the Interim Planning Group which is represented by 20 members from independent consultants, Federation staff and governmental advisory bodies.
Through nationwide elections Atoll representatives have been elected in February 2006. 62 members represent the Atolls and 18 members represent Male’. Once MRC is officiated, the 82 Atoll representatives will collectively vote and choose the members of the first Governing Board including its president in the first General Assembly. The Governing Board will appoint a Secretary General, and the Maldivian Red Crescent will start operating.
Future: After the General Assembly, the same elected members will represent the MRC during the first year. Until the second General Assembly they will convey their local vision to the MRC Headquarters and Governing board. They will also be the focal points for the formation of the MRC Branches in their Atolls.
Branch Representatives from the Atolls will be attending, participating and voting in the second national General Assembly (by mid 2009). They will be nominated within their own Branches and every single contribution to improve this election and nomination process and to ensure fairness, transparency and the best representation as possible for your Atoll is welcomed.
Employees will be nominated through equitable selection and recruitment processes overlooked by the Governing Board. The initial management team will be appointed by the board and required posts will be filled through public vacancy listings. Nation wide advertisements will be made to allow the most capable and motivated Maldivian nationals a fair chance of employment. Foreign employees will be hired on project basis to ensure a build up of competency standards in the national labour pool. Once formed, Branches will recruit their own management and operational staff, depending on the communities specific needs.
Anti-discriminatory measures will be implemented in all organisational structuring of MRC to ensure internal equity and harmony at the work environment as well as during external contacts on the field. Employment is guaranteed with the candidate understanding and accepting the Fundamental principles of the Movement, the Rules of Procedures and the Code of Conduct that govern the organisational functions.
How fairly were the Atoll representatives elected?
Elections in February 2006 were monitored by the MRC Working Group (initial group working to develop MRC) and International Red Cross staff. The local elections were held as fairly as possible with very limited means without proper MRC staff, and without Statutes and Regulations. It is true that the information regarding the elections was not widely communicated at that time and that in some islands; the process was not well understood.
The elected representatives are committed and their role will be very important during the first General Assembly since they will be the voting basis for the election of the first MRC Governing Board. Active participation will help MRC to develop as the first nationwide Maldivian organization in the country, with strong basis, transparent functioning and a respected profile.
How can a Branch or Island Unit be formed?
For a MRC Branch to be registered in your Atoll capital or a MRC Island Unit in your island, you need to have a certain number of members registered first. The pre- requisite number of MRC members should ideally compose of 3% of Atoll population to constitute a MRC Atoll Branch and 3% of the population of an island to constitute as a MRC Island Unit. There should be, ideally, one MRC branch formed in each and every Atoll by the end of 2009. The number of Island Units will vary according to the number of Members and Volunteers registered, opportunities and programmes activities developed (or potentially to be developed) on the ground.
How can I become a Volunteer or a Member?
As soon as the Maldivian Red Crescent becomes legally recognised, there will be a nationwide registration and recruitment of Volunteers and Members. Everyone will have the possibility to register either via email, fax or by post. Soon after the first General Assembly, interested individuals in support of and being part of the MRC can join as a MRC member of the organization by paying a membership fee of 50 Rufiyaa/year or remain a simple MRC Volunteer (no voting right in your branch or unit).
How old do I have to be a Volunteer?
There is no age restriction to be a volunteer. The type of volunteer work will depend on the capacity of the individual. It is the whole communities’ responsibility to foster such humanitarian values while MRC serves to assist in establishing these principles among the population.
Can volunteers take part in International Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes?
Definitely, MRC will have international exposure specific on theme. Members will be provided with the Movements network experience, trainings and conferences in order to build capacity and relations. Developmental support is provided upon request under the global mandate sustaining and supporting the family.
How will MRC be related to other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies?
An independently registered MRC will automatically become a family member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent network of over 180 national societies, which bring together the largest global organisation of volunteers to help communities and people in need. From growth to establishment MRC will support the Movements mandate of assisting all they can.
The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) encompassing the Movement works worldwide as an auxiliary to the public authorities when it is needed and when invited to do so. Though the ICRC is part of the Red Cross Red Crescent family, some activities are conducted independently and the MRC as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are not part of it by rules of procedure.
Will the MRC visit prisoners in jail?
No, only the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of Geneva through its Regional office in New Delhi, India is in charge of working with the Maldivian authorities to ensure that conditions of detention in Maldives are in line with the global standards of the Conventions of Geneva.
The Maldivian Government being party to the Conventions of Geneva since June 1991 combined with an agreement signed between ICRC in 2004, allows the ICRC to visit the places of detention in the Maldives. The detention reports of the ICRC are confidential and presented only to the Government in charge.
How will MRC relate to the Government?
An officially recognised MRC is guided by the Red Cross Red Crescent Principle of Independence, which requires it to remain as a distinct organization separate from the Government. Acting as auxiliary to the government in providing social assistance MRC will not strive to replace the authorities.
MRC will assist the nation in times of international conflict. During internal conflicts and disturbances MRC will provide emergency assistance to all those who require. It will not be active in either demonstrations nor rally’s but observe and aid casualties of community disturbances without discrimination and on a pure humanitarian ground.
Is MRC a Religious organisation?
The Movement consists of a global network of volunteers working for the sole purpose of humanity which transcends religious ideologies. The agenda of the society is transparent and accountable to the governing laws and public of Maldives, activities and programs are entirely dedicated to serve the vulnerable without any hidden agenda or personal gain.
Will MRC give chance to work for the people who have criminal record in their past?
MRC encourages full participation by the community and believes in creating positive opportunities for those out casted to the fringes of society. Criminally prosecuted individuals will go through a rigorous selection criterion to remove any doubts of possible harm to the community.
Can any political activist work for MRC?
Political activists will not be discriminated to join MRC. However, the Movements Fundamental Principles are valued in its existence to remain impartial and universal. A Volunteer or member of MRC should not play an active role in a political party. The initial Working Group which was formed to facilitate the national society formation was dissolved by the Joint Assessment Monitoring group of ICRC due to political ideologies contradicting the philosophy of the Movement.
Can any local organization work with MRC?
Yes. Local and International organizations are most welcome to develop partnerships with MRC. Such partnerships will provide a highly effective resource base for the volunteers of the organization to carry out their community based humanitarian work in the field of social development. Various cooperatives and partnerships have already been initiated between local NGOs, committees and businesses in the reconstruction efforts of IFRC and participating international Red Cross Red Crescent societies.
What will MRC do?
The first Governing board of the MRC will decide on what will be the programs of MRC at National level. At a later stage, MRC Branches and Units will have possibilities to develop their own projects/activities within this National framework.
Decisions will be prioritised to the needs of the most vulnerable communities of the Maldives; activities will be conducted in order to respond to major disasters (natural or not), including health related ones such as outbreaks or pandemics. Scale of activities and programmes will depend on the availability of funds and therefore on the resources available for the future MRC operations.
In terms of regular activities, the areas to be potentially covered by the future MRC will be Disaster Preparedness and Response, First Aid, prevention of diseases such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya, safe water usage and waste management promotion and trainings, awareness on discrimination and development of Youth activities.
Activities and programs will be based upon the global agenda of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement which are. , promoting humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care in the community.
Will MRC construct houses?
The MRC will not be involved in the construction field or continue projects of the size carried out by the Red Cross Red Crescent national societies that provided assistance to Maldives after the tsunami. If another unfortunate disaster strikes, the MRC will call the other national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation to assist where MRC lacks capacity. The MRC will be leading the Red Cross and Red Crescent presence in the Maldives. IFRC and partner national societies will work under the MRC’s umbrella and direction.
Will MRC provide social welfare or services?
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are not charity organizations. Their aim is to respond and assist to the needs of priorities in Public Health and to complement public authorities, never substitute them.
The resources of the future MRC will be limited and its funds will be saved in order to answer events like Chikungunya pandemic outbreak, or promotion and awareness of better living standards.
The definition and provisions of social services will be decided at national level initially. Branches and even Island units will be given autonomous developmental responsibilities with the build up of capacity and capabilities.
How will MRC get Funds?
The future MRC will develop a Fundraising plan just after its first General Assembly. Funds will be gathered from income generating activities, donations, membership fees and contributions from different partners. Branches will have to develop their own fundraising plans, under the guidance and with assistance of MRC Headquarters.
Local and International appeals will be made to increase organisational and operational resources of the society. All donations (it could also be in kind) would be welcomed provided it complies with the Rules of Procedures placed to avoid corruptive and biased transactions.
When will MRC start working?
Soon. A Parliamentary Act recognizing the future MRC provisions will be made for independent existence, the current IPG (Interim Planning Group-in charge of leading the process until formal creation of Maldivian Red Crescent) will call for its first General Assembly which will be held two months after the formal acceptance and registration of the society.
During the General Assembly, the 80 elected Representatives (62 from the Atolls, 18 from Male’) will vote and choose the members of the first MRC Governing Board including its President. Then a Secretary General will be nominated and the MRC will start operating.
During the first months, the priority will be given to organization of the structure of MRC, especially to form and develop Branches in each and every Atoll but at the same time, the MRC will start operating activities and programmes within its core areas: Health, Disaster management and promoting Humanitarian Principles and Values.
What can we do now?
Register your interest to join MRC as a volunteer or member. Please fill Registration of Interest form (available on MRC blog) and submit to the address below. We will get back to you soon.
The MRC needs you! Together we can!
Maldivian Red Crescent Interim Planning Group Office
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – Maldives Delegation
5th Floor, Gaadhoo Building, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male’, Maldives
Tel: 332 1987, Fax: 332 1951
MRC Hotline: 334 1009
MRC Email: maldivianrc@gmail.com
MRC Blog: www.maldivianredcrescent.wordpress.com
MRC Youtube: www.youtube.com/maldivianredcrescent
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