A short animated cartoon depicting the birth of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman witnesses great atrocities being done to human kind in the war of Selferino (1859). He sets it upon himself to work alleviate such human sufferings.
This version has been dubbed in Dhivehi.
Check out the printable version of the comic, also in Dhivehi Hiyaalege Vaahaka comic
Comments 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
The 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
July 2008
John Bales, Disaster Management Coordinator, International Federation-Maldives Delegation
Until the unexpected onslaught of the tsunami of 26 December 2004, Maldives had little direct experience of major natural disasters. The tsunami cancelled out development gains accrued through years of patient endeavor, highlighting a need for comprehensive risk reduction measures linked to effective disaster preparedness systems. Ultimate responsibility for ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens rests with the Government but, in the fragmented, maritime environment of the Maldives, disaster management is the responsibility of everyone - not least the people of island communities, themselves.
The remoteness of island communities in the Maldives, access constraints to external support and a crucial need to be able to act quickly and effectively in an emergency require every island to be its own principle saviour, protector and immediate source of aid in times of disaster. Preparedness is the key to success – a community that has taken adequate steps to reduce its exposure to risk, ensured immediate access to appropriate resources when needed, developed contingency plans, organisational capacities to carry them out and routinely practiced emergency courses of action is more likely to be able to cope and respond effectively than a community that is unprepared.
Initiatives intended to reduce risk include:
o development of disaster preparedness and risk reduction plans and procedures
o establishment, testing and regular practice of secure and universally understood early
o warning systems and evacuation procedures
o strengthening of coastal defences and sea walls
o creation of strategically located protective structures – to provide places of safe refuge
o plantation of trees and other vegetation – to form windbreaks and tidal swell barriers
o rainwater harvesting
o change and diversification of livelihood practice – to increase the range of alternative
o economic opportunities and enhance household resilience
o introduction of locally sustainable and efficient waste management practices – to avert environmental degradation and protect community health
Disaster contingency plans provide a framework for emergency action – executing them requires access to specific expertise, skills and resources. An effective way to ensure these at island level is the establishment and maintenance of a core group of committed community volunteers trained and equipped to undertake designated activities related to:
o early warning dissemination
o raising community awareness of disaster preparedness issues
o evacuation and rescue
o casualty, damage and relief needs assessment
o provision of First Aid and psycho-social support services
o supervision of shelter/safe haven(s)
o harbour and boat safety
Community based risk reduction and disaster preparedness initiatives reflect local characteristics and priorities but they should also reflect commitment to nationwide aspirations to improve safety and protect the lives of all people in the Maldives - to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience throughout the national community.
Article: South Asia Link, E-newsletter from South Asia Regional Delegation, International Federation, Issue July 2008, Page 4. Available on: South Asia Link-July 2008
