South-East Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Community Safety and Resilience
Monthly e-Newsletter
May 2017

First Community Engagement and Accountability training organized in Asia-Pacific
 

Over the course of the four intensive days on 18-21 May 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand, participants familiarized themselves with the theory and the practice of how to integrate CEA within the Red Cross and Red Crescent programme cycle during emergency operations, longer-term protracted crisis, both in contexts of natural disasters and armed conflict, as well as development programs.

Gender and Diversity approaches to Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) field school

This Field School, taken place on 21-16 May 2017, is part of a wider, global effort to ensure the integration of gender and diversity in Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction process for National Societies. The training was held in Ayutthaya and Sing Buri provinces in Thailand and was attended by six National Societies. 
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Initial training for data collectors for the field research on Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV)

The initial trainings for the field research on sexual and gender-based violence took place from 9-14 May 2017 in Lao PDR. As part of this research project, all data collection teams have to be trained for six days. The trainings include sensitization on sexual and gender-based violence issues, introduction to the questionnaire and focus-group discussions (FGDs) and multiple practice sessions to ensure that the research is carried out in an ethical, safe and confidential manner. The training was six days long with a series of debrief meetings on the seventh day.

First Aid training for GRAB Drivers

GRAB Thailand hosted two basic First Aid training courses conducted for 32 Grab taxi drivers in Chiang Mai and in Bangkok in May 2017. There were 6 key topics focusing on both theory and practical sessions related to basic standard first aid for wounds, choking, stroke, heart diseases, CPR-cardiopulmonary resuscitation and referral and transportation to hospitals by three first aid instructors/specialists from the Training Centre of First Aid and Health Care, Thai Red Cross Society.
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IFRC as panelist in Asia-Pacific Youth, Peace and Security Consultation Forum

40 youth from 20 countries joined the Asia-Pacific Youth, Peace and Security Consultation Forum, hosted by UNDP and UNFPA, on 16-19 May 2017, to engage in deep discussion on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) for the first time in Asia-Pacific region. Over 20 partners ranging from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), UN Agencies and donor governments came to learn more and interact with the 2250 agenda through the youth’s perspectives.

At the regional level a meeting between European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was conducted to provide progress updates of the project in various countries and to discuss about the remaining activities toward the end of the project. The discussion resulted in an agreement that if extension is needed to complete all committed activities, notification to ECHO should be sent as soon as possible. On this note, IFRC will be thoroughly discussing with the partner national societies during the third coordination meeting which is scheduled during the second week of July in Vientiane, then final decision will be made. Photo by Philippines Red Cross: A mural painting in the final round at Batasan Hills National High School. 
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Steering Committee Meeting for the Regional Resilience Initiative (RRI)

The annual Steering Committee Meeting for the Regional Resilience Initiative (RRI) was held in Jakarta on 17 May 2017. The objective of the meeting was to review the second year of implementation of the initiative and to discuss among partners the proposed Work Plan for the fourth year of the project. The meeting approved the below four technical Work Plans covering the period April 2017 to March 2018

On 10 May 2017 The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society paid tribute to its youth leaders with the recent presentation of Henry Dunant Awards during the Brunei Red Crescent's Youth Convention. The award came from the hard work and commitment shown by the cadets in working towards serving the local community and nation. Photo by Faizal Gurie/BDRCS. 
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Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society achieves another milestone

On 8 May 2017 The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) conducted a mass gathering for its members yesterday to celebrate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2017. The event preceded with demonstrations and activities including First Aid and health check, Disaster Risk Reduction awareness and Response Recovery Relief activities and humanitarian volunteer recruitments, conducted by BDRCS members. 
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Cambodia's Increased Access of WASH Infrastructure programme - Updates in May 2017

A 2-day home visit was conducted to create awareness regarding the treatment of water and safe storage. Constructions of water facilities were completed with 3 shallow tube wells. Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training was conducted. There was Construction of households’ sanitation facilities. 3-day visit by IFRC focused on the progress of construction of ponds, shallow wells and household sanitation. Pond rehabilitation and deepening was done.  
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Focus Group Discussion on Watershed Flood Contingency Plan

Food and Drug Monitoring Agency reviews Blood Transfusion Unit for GMP certification

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) of the Republic of Indonesia visited the Blood Transfusion Unit (UTD) of PMI (Indonesian Red Cross Society) on 19 May. The visit was a preparatory step for certification of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for the UTD Center and a number of others. Dr. Linda Lukitari explains that the UTD continuously meet the various aspects required in the implementation of GMP. "The Central Board of UTD of PMI always supports throughout Indonesia in providing the best service to the communities, and we start with preparations to obtain GMP certification."

The World Red Cross Day 2017 was celebrated at Myanmar International Convention Center II, Naypyitaw and the Patron of Myanmar Red Cross Society, Union President U Htin Kyaw addressed the audience in the ceremony. The Union President, H.E U Htin Kyaw affirmed “Also with increased occurrences of disasters, the Myanmar Red Cross Society needs to redouble its efforts in providing first aid, disaster preparedness, responses and disaster risk reduction activities. We are aware that the Myanmar Red Cross Society alone cannot meet the humanitarian needs of the people in time of natural calamities or disasters. Concerted efforts have to be rendered by the government, people, civil society organizations, and humanitarian organizations to help those who are in need.” 
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Red Cross sends relief goods, water, first aid and psychosocial support teams to Marawi

Red Cross enhances reliability of SOS network with small-cell technology

Sri Lanka Floods / Landslides: Singapore Red Cross sends Aid

In response to the severe floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, homegrown humanitarian organisation Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will contribute US$50,000 in relief supplies in the first instance. Additionally, the Singapore Government will donate US$100,000 to launch SRC’s public fundraising appeal. Two teams of Singapore Red Cross disaster response volunteers were deployed to Sri Lanka in the coming weeks, to assist with the relief efforts. The first team was in Sri Lanka on 31 May 2017. The Singapore Red Cross’ two-person disaster response team was actively conducting assessment and assisting with relief distribution, since arrival in Sri Lanka on 31 May. Photo by Singapore Red Cross Society.

World Red Cross Day 2017 - Message from Mr Tee Tua Ba, Chairman of Singapore Red Cross

Today, we celebrate World Red Cross Day. It is a day to commemorate the founding of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; and we honour our volunteers for their humanitarian efforts. Over the past 65 years, Red Cross Youth (RCY) has equipped thousands of youth with life-saving skills and inspired them to serve humanity. Moving forward, we will continue to stay true to our mission and develop members into youth leaders who can contribute actively to building community resilience.

Blood donation centre of Thai Red Cross Society invites public to be part of “giving” society on World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2017

On 7 May 2017 Thai Red Cross Society invited people to save humans’ lives by donating blood. The theme for this day is “Everywhere for Everyone”. The donors received a souvenior t-shirt, “Give by Nexcare” (limited edition). People were also invited to take their photographs under the theme, “Give Photo” and use a hashtag, #givenexcare2017 through instagram in order to invite people to donate blood through social media.
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Chulalongkorn hospital of Thai Red Cross Society organizes “Aged people -  quality people” event

On 22 May 2017 Chulalongkorn hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, with the Faculty of Medicines, Chulalongkorn University organized “Aged people - quality people” event, focusing on providing knowledge on taking care of older people with diseases, aiming for older people to live quality and happy lives. In the event there was an exhibition, free health check-up for the old, a siminar on the diseases frequently occur in the aged and an health examination to look for diseases for the old.

Viet Nam Red Cross Society gives unconditional and conditional cash support for the flood-affected households in Viet Nam

1,037 flood affected households in two districts of Tay Son and Tuy Phuoc in Binh Dinh province have received support from Viet Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC). The support was in forms of unconditional cash to procure essential items for the families and conditional cash to purchase cows for livelihood recovery aftermath the serious floods during the last two months of 2016. A total of NZD 250,000 (CHF 180,000) was made available by New Zealand Government through International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The support (unconditional cash transfer and conditional cash transfer for cows) was delivered within 64 days since the operation started on the ground and it was well received by beneficiaries and local authorities.

Viet Nam Red Cross Society celebrates World Red Cross Red Crescent Day

On 7 May 2017 the Viet Nam Red Cross Society organized celebration and blood donation day on the occasion of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day. Representatives from partner National Societies, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), government agencies as well as Viet Nam Red Cross staff and volunteers from the headquarters and Hanoi Chapter attended the event.

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Millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent staff around the world reach more than 160 million people every year providing a diverse and innovative range of services.
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Community Engagement and Accountability toolkit

This toolkit contains tools that can help National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as other organizations to assess, design, implement, monitor and evaluate community engagement and accountability activities in support of programmes and operations. The toolkit should be used in conjunction with our Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Guide.

Red Cross Red Crescent Guide to Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) – Pilot version

By listening to people in need, we can gain a deeper understanding of those communities we work with, engage with their capacities and expertise in a meaningful way, and ultimately contribute to improved accountability and building of long-term resilience. This guide does not present a new activity, but rather adds value to what we are already doing by offering practical advice and support to improve how we communicate with, engage with and are accountable to people in need. It is written for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and provides advice and support to build CEA in a more systematic, predictable and evidence-based way within the management cycle.

The guide and the associated toolkit is a joint effort of the IFRC and ICRC, launched at the end of January 2017.