This report covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2010
Programme purpose:
To support the development and delivery of services to vulnerable communities in Maldives through building its capacity to function effectively and fulfil its mandate.
Programme(s) summary:
A year old on 16 August 2010, Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) is currently working to ensure that they have firmly set their goal in meeting the 10 conditions of International Committee of the Red Cross for recognition and becoming a full-fledged member of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Societies by the next General Assembly of the International Federation in November 2011.
The report includes coverage of programme development and actual capacity building of established branches in order to reach the different islands of the country guided by a national headquarters which is undertaking capacity building and resource mobilization to support national activities. A total of 10 branches have been established by November 2010. The branches are strategically located in major regions of the country with a community-based health and first aid (CBHFA) programme as an initial activity by trained volunteers in the communities. Disaster risk reduction (DRR) related activities are also planned to start in the islands through vulnerability and capacity assessment (VCA), where the branches have already been established. Each branch, which consists of a minimum of two units, is tasked with the responsibility of extending support to the established MRC units in the islands within its respective territory, and to eventually determine the mechanism of support to other islands.
Financial situation: The total budget for 2010 is CHF 1,069,555, of which 108 per cent is covered. Expenditure from January to December 2010 was 94 per cent of the overall 2010 budget.
MRC is now starting to support its established branches in programme development and actual service delivery, thus there is a commensurate increase in utilization of its budget.
At the start up phase, MRC was supported by the British Red Cross, Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China, Japanese Red Cross and tsunami-related funds allocated by the Asia Pacific Zone office through the Annual Plan via the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Towards the middle of the 2010, the Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China continued to extend support as did the Republic of Korea National Red Cross. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has also extended assistance to MRC at its initial stage to promote the Fundamental Principles of the Movement. Additionally, the Canadian Red Cross signed an agreement to provide long-term support to a DRR climate change adaptation (CCA) programme of the National Society in its branches.
No. of people we help:
A total number of 64 volunteers (including staff) from the first established six branches were given training-of-trainers in first aid, CBHFA and VCA.
180 community volunteers were trained as CBHFA educators. Consequently, more than 5,000 people in these communities are more aware of the health hazards in their communities and different ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Approximately 40 volunteer first aid trainers have also been trained in 2010, which supports the income-generating commercial first aid Programme and the community service community-based first aid programme.
At the end of 2010, the number of persons trained in first aid from resorts and private establishments totals 407 (as part of the commercial first aid programme). In the coming months, community members will directly benefit in the above initiatives.
As for membership recruitment to date, MRC has a total of 734 members and 650 volunteers including the governing board. Currently four companies have taken corporate membership with MRC.
Our partners:
Partner National Societies who currently support MRC include British Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China, Japanese Red Cross Society and the Republic of Korea National Red Cross through the IFRC. Also within the Movement, MRC is supported by ICRC.
The Canadian Red Cross has also made a bilateral agreement with MRC in supporting their DRR project.
Other organizations who work with MRC include UNICEF, UNDP, World Health Organization (WHO), island authorities, Ministry of Health and Family, Ministry of Education, National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
On behalf of the Maldivian Red Crescent, IFRC would like to thank all contributors and donors for their support of the National Society.