Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean #7 by IFRC Americas Communications

VOICES OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN

#7 | AUGUST 2017

Content

Cover picture

Community volunteering. Colombian Red Cross / Mike Bloem

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Americas Regional Office City of Knowledge, Clayton Panama Dir +507 317 3050 Many thanks to all who have contributed to this number of Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean.

Facts and figures emergency operations 4 Red Cross prepared for the hurricane season 5 Brazil: the biggest yellow fever outbreak in decades 7 World humanitarian day 10 Planning: the future of the IFRC in the Americas 12 External partners event 14 IV Advisory forum of the PCGIR 15 IFRC Americas Regional Directo visit to Ecuador 16 Strategic support to the region 17 Resilience in the Americas - Lessons learned workshop 19 Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society teaches students of the Gloster Lodge Moravian Primary School about the Zika Virus 22 Training of young leaders from the Americas region in Solferino and Castiglione 24 Brazilian Red Cross launches international first aid guidelines 25 Central American National Societies pilot multi-disciplinary advocacy group 26 Community preparation program in Chiapas 27 Regional meeting of volunteers of the Central America Cluster 28 Brazilian Red Cross continues with humanitarian aid actions in the northeast region 29 Third National Psychosocial support workshop 30 Leadership programme launched in the caribbean 31 Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Department held itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 73rd Annual Chain Gathering Ceremony 32 Community Engagement and Accountability training in haiti 33 International HELP course in Cuba 33 Training for immediate disaster response 34 Climate change awareness for small islands developing States, online course 35 Workshop on International Humanitarian Law 36 Cuban Red Cross present in the National Motocross Cup 36 Video: Argentina Red Cross Flood Operation 38

OPERATIONS

FACTS AND FIGURES

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS (30.08.2017)

EMERGENCY APPEALS Country

Emergency

Pop. Affected Pop. assisted

Budget (CHF)

Coverage

Closing Date

Chile Peru Dominican Republic Haiti Ecuador Regional

Wildfire Floods Floods Hurricane Earthquake Outbreak Zika

7,157 665,313 1,292,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 746,777

267,982 4,740,589 2,459,751 26,094,551 10,620,501 7,483,112

66% 38% 22% 31% 81% 100%

Sep 09, 2017 Mar 23, 2018 Nov 26, 2017 Apr 06, 2018 Nov 19, 2017 Sep 30, 2017

2,000 50,000 25,000 147,500 85,324 174,078

DREF OPERATIONS Country Brazil

Emergency Floods

6 APPEALS People affected: 4,911,247 People assisted: 483,902 Budget: 51,666,486

Pop. Assisted 9,000

26,866,021 CHF Funding gap:

24,800,465 CHF

Budget (CHF) 233,561

Closing date Sep 14, 2017

Percentage of emergency operations by type

CHF Actual appeal coverage:

56%

Pop. Affected 104,140

14% 14% 43% 14% 14%

Floods Hurricane Earthquake Outbreak Zika Wildfire

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Red Cross prepared for the hurricane season

Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, given its vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes which often devastate coastal communities and cause landslides and floods. The Atlantic hurricane season began on 1 June 2017. El Niño typically fosters a less active hurricane season, but according to the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, this 2017 hurricane season will be considered to be normal. El Niño is defined as a warming of the eastern central Pacific waters close to the Equator. El Niño also tends to produce stronger west winds in the tropical Atlantic Ocean that inhibit hurricane growth. However, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects 11 to 17 named storms, and 5 to 9 hurricanes, of which 2 to 4 would reach category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This year most storms and hurricanes are expected in September. A Category 3 or higher according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale is considered a major hurricane. The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage. When a hurricane reaches category 3 or higher it is considered to be a major hurricane due to its potential loss of human life and material damage. Walte Cotte, Director for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Americas, pointed out that “We need to be prepared. Predictions allow us to plan and visualize the resources we would need during an event. Nevertheless, the most important is to make sure that communities are prepared and have the necessary capacities to be the first respondents in the event of an emergency. The IFRC’s approach is to keep the focus at the local level first, and then at national and regional levels. This is the only way to build true resilience that will transform into sustainable human development.”

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

Review of the 2016 hurricane season Last year, the Atlantic hurricane season lasted from January to the end of November and presented a combination of destructive hurricanes and climatological peculiarities. The 2016 season featured the highest amount of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin since 2012, producing a total of 15 named storms and 7 hurricanes. According to Dr Phil Klotzbach, hurricane expert at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, 2016 was the most active season in the Atlantic basin since 2010. Hurricane Matthew was considered to be the most catastrophic hurricane in the season. Matthew struck Haiti in the Tiburon Peninsula near the city of Les Anglais on 4 October 2016, as a late-season Category 4 hurricane, an event that had not occurred since hurricane Cleo in 1964. It grew stronger until it reached Category 5 by the end of September 2016, becoming the first Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin since hurricane Felix at the beginning of September 2007. Matthew created the biggest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. At least 20 per cent of the land was affected. Worst impacts were reported in the southern departments, mainly in the departments of Grande-Anse and Sud, as well as in Nippes, Sud-Est, Ouest and Nord Ouest. On the other hand, Hurricane Earl ended a relatively calmed four-year period in the western Caribbean Sea. Earl made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Belize on 4 August 2016. But the most devastating impacts were produced when Earl made landfall for the second time as a tropical storm near Veracruz, Mexico, on 5 August. At least 45 people lost their lives in Mexico due to landslides produced by heavy rain. Earl was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane in 2016 after Matthew. The third most serious hurricane in 2016 was Otto. It made landfall in the southwest of Nicaragua on 24 November as a Category 3 hurricane. Otto formed near the Panamanian Atlantic coast and travelled from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean as a tropical cyclone. Red Cross ready for the season During the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, the IFRC in the Americas supported local Red Cross Societies in 6 countries to provide assistance to 161,820 people. In 2016, a total of 936,754 Swiss francs were allocated from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. International emergency appeals were also launched for a total of 26,094,551 Swiss francs. With regard to the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, constant monitoring of specialized agencies and National Societies in the Americas is carried out by the Panama-based IFRC Department of Disaster and Crisis. This department is able to respond quickly to the emergency needs of around 50,000 families (approximately 250,000 people) if a disaster would occur right now. On the other hand, the IFRC can quickly release funds from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), which allows National Societies to acquire immediate relief supplies. Currently the IFRC has a total of 208 members of Regional Intervention Teams (RIT) in 34 National Societies that can be deployed immediately if necessary. Red Cross National Societies in the Caribbean, North and Central America are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and disseminating messages to promote community-based preparedness activities with the aim of mitigating the impact of natural events and preparing communities to be the first responders in the event of an emergency. This is the only way to ensure an effective response and prevent human and material losses.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Brazil: The biggest yellow fever outbreak in decades

Since the beginning of 2017 Brazil has experienced the greatest outbreak of jungle yellow fever in decades. The highest incidence of cases occurred during the months of January to April, coinciding with the rainy season of Southeastern Brazil. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. The virus that produces yellow fever is endemic in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America. Once the virus is contracted and after an incubation period of 3 to 6 days, the disease can develop in two phases. The first one, usually causes fever, muscular pains, mainly intense back pain, headaches, chills, loss of appetite and nausea or vomiting. Most patients get better and symptoms disappear within 3 to 4 days. However, 15% of patients may enter a second, more complicated phase, where high fever returns and different organ systems are affected. Half of the patients entering this phase die within 10 to 14 days. There is no curative treatment for yellow fever, vaccination is the most important and effective preventive measure against the disease. From January to date, 797 cases of the disease have been confirmed, with 275 deaths. The state of Rio de Janeiro is the region that presented the most recent confirmed cases of morbidity and mortality caused by yellow fever. With the arrival of the cold season in Brazil the incidence of cases was halted given the climatic conditions that do not allow the mosquito to reproduce. From December 2016 to August 2017, the Ministry of Health has intensified actions in the areas of promotion, health surveillance and patient care, earmarking 19.2 million reals (about 6 million dollars) in extra resources for 522 cities affected by the disease in the States of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. It also budgeted 26.3 million reals (about 8 million dollars) to the States São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, to be used in health surveillance actions. The Ministry of Health allocated 26.9 million doses of vaccine against yellow fever for 1,050 municipalities at risk in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. Likewise, it allocated 13.8 million reals (about 4 million dollars) to 256 municipalities of the mentioned states as an incentive for the vaccination of the population against this disease. These activities were aimed at achieving an immunization coverage in the population greater than 95%.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

The Brazilian Red Cross in face of the epidemic The Brazilian Red Cross has been working in affected areas since the beginning of the health emergency, with more than 400 volunteers from the state and municipal branches present in the States of Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo, Santos, San Vicente, San José, Jacareí And Braganza), Rio de Janeiro (Nueva Friburgo), Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte) and Ceará (Fortaleza). To respond to this outbreak, the Brazilian Red Cross requested the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) resources from the Emergency Response Fund (DREF) to provide assistance to 26,100 people (6,525 families) with the aim of reducing the risk of yellow fever transmission through health, water and sanitation activities, hygiene promotion, vector control and psychosocial support. In addition, the Brazilian Red Cross has been implementing an awareness and communication campaign that has reached about 50,000 people in the most affected communities in southeastern Brazil. Although incidence rates have dropped significantly, a study recently published by the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC / Fiocruz) in association with the Pasteur Institute in France indicates that there is a potential for re-emergence of urban transmission of yellow fever in Brazil. This study recommends strengthening vaccination campaigns and continuing vector control actions. The Brazilian Red Cross, thanks to its network of volunteers throughout the country, is alert to any resurgence of the epidemic and thanks to the actions carried out in the first half of 2017, it has the capaciity to act immediately.

NEWS

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

world humanitarian day World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. Civilians caught in conflict are #NotATarget Around the world, conflict is exacting a massive toll on people’s lives. Trapped in wars that are not of their making, millions of civilians are forced to hide or run for their lives. Children are taken out of school, families are displaced from their homes, and communities are torn apart, while the world is not doing enough to stop their suffering. At the same time, health and aid workers – who risk their lives to care for people affected by violence – are increasingly being targeted. For WHD 2017, humanitarian partners are coming together to reaffirm that civilians caught in conflict are #NotATarget. Through a global online campaign featuring an innovative partnership with Facebook Live, together with events held around the world, we will raise our voices to advocate for those most vulnerable in war zones, and demand that world leaders do everything their power to protect civilians in conflict.

Walter Cotte message WHD2017 | Watch video

#NotATarget | Watch video

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

VISIT OF THE Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

PLANNING: THE FUTURE OF THE IFRC IN THE AMERICAS

From August 21 to 23, the Planning Meeting of the Americas Regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was held. The objective of the meeting was to jointly work on the analysis focused on the programmatic and development areas of National Societies. As emphasized by the 2020 Strategy and the Inter-American Framework for Action, the IFRC is moving forward to “do more, do better, achieve more.” To achieve this, we need to build new capacities, forge new alliances, adapt to new technologies and plan differently. The third day of the Planning Meeting was dedicated to work on priorities for the future together with our Movement partners. Discussions included the participation of: ICRC and the German, American, Canadian, Spanish, Italian and Norwegian Red Cross, and the Climate Center.

Our job is to support National Societies to build resilient communities

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

External Partners Event The IFRC Americas Regional Officer organized on Friday August 25th a meeting with external partners, with the participation of 17 representatives form different organizations, universities and companies based in Panama. The objective was to showcase IFRC Portfolio and Partnership work in the region, and to hear from key external partners about partnership highlights, with a view to strengthening partnership networks and opportunities and increase engagement with a broader range of partners towards collaboration and joint initiatives with the IFRC.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

IV Regional Advisory Forum for the Central American Policy on Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management The Fourth Regional Consultative Forum is a regional dialogue space of the Central American Policy on Integral Disaster Risk Management (PCGIR) on Disaster Risk Reduction in Central America, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). The event brings together representatives of the National Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Management Systems, private sector, United Nations System agencies, NGOs and other organizations such as the Red Cross, which had representatives of the 5 National Societies of Central America and the Regional Office for America.

IFRC AMERICAS REGIONAL DIRECTOR VISIT TO ECUADOR

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

STRATEGIC SUPPORT TO THE REGION

American Red Cross Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the opening ceremony of the Leadership Skills Development Regional Training. Credits: American Red Cross.

Disaster Management constitutes a fundamental part of the Strategic Direction 2017 -2020 of the American Red Cross International Service Department. The preparation and response in an effective, coherent, timely and efficient manner are priorities that will keep being globally applied in direct coordination with the IFRC and/or through the National Societies to strengthen the capacity of the communities and institutions with regards to preparation, response and recovery in the face of situations of emergency or disaster. The American Red Cross starts from the basis that communities can be better prepared and be benefit from the National Societies as long they hold a strong and focused leadership, with clear guidelines for the integral management of risk. In that sense, honoring the commitment of assuring an alignment to the international frame of response and the strengthening of the National Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response capacity, were financially and technically supported by the American Red Cross last June, in coordination with the (FICR), the following initiatives: â&#x20AC;˘

Second Phase of the Regional Leadership Program. The American Red Cross provided financial and technical support for the continuity of the Regional Leadership Program, following up on the actions previously supported during the first phase of said program with the objective of strengthening the regional strategy of leadership development of the National Societies in coordination with the (IFRC). Representatives from governing boards of 8 National Societies of the region and the ICRC participated in the course to exchange experiences with regards to sustainability, talent development, institutional risk management, integrity protection, promotion of coordination and cooperation, revision of the existing tools about these topics, and as a result having concreted the commitment of making and monitoring an individual action plan of the leaders that will contribute with the decision making strategies in benefit to the work made by the Red Cross regionally.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

•

• •

I Regional Workshop of Communicators of the Region. In which 15 National Societies representatives and the CICR were present with the objective of setting the basis for the strengthening of an active network of communicators in the Americas Region that will contribute with the exchange of timely information in situations of emergency or disasters, guaranteeing the start off of mechanisms for the reputational risk management, focused information for resource mobilization, integration of the communities and strengthening the use of new techniques, tools and technology for emergency operations in terms of communication. I Workshop for Leaders introduction to the Disaster Management System. Following up with the assurances taken by the National Societies of the Region in the Commitment of Houston and Inter American Frame of Action; and starting from the analysis of regional response systems that was formalized through the subsequent Toluca Agreement, where the Continental System of Response for the Americas was updated in technical coordination with the IFRC, the American Red Cross supported the realization of the I Workshop for Leaders introduction to the Disaster Management System, where the participation of presidents and directives from 8 National Societies counted on, who were reunited with the objective of strengthening knowledge on the functioning, conceptual frame and principles of humanitarian assistance within the new Regional Response system of the IFRC. Workshop for the incorporation of technological tools for the Emergency Operations Center management. In line with the strengthening and optimization of the available resources for response, it was supported the realization of a workshop between representatives of different National Societies of the region, the Reference Center on Institutional Preparation for Disasters, the IFRC and members of the United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), which served as a platform of analysis and coordination for the strengthening of disaster management through the improvement of the information management tools and studied the incorporation of information and communication technologies. Furthermore, it was achieved the harmonization of key) formats that will allow the step up on processing and management of data for strategic and time effective decision making, as well as the analysis of the formative processes as the Trainings for the Organization and Functioning of Emergency Operation Centers and Emergency Operation Center Management and Control. It was coordinated and supported through the FICR the strengthening of the response mechanisms of the region, through the development of the shelter curricula in coordination with the Reference Center, that will serve as a frame of reference on such topic for the whole Region. In coordination with the FICR, it was supported by the American Red Cross the strengthening of the Surge System, as part of the commitment of contributing with the development of global response tools. The support was mainly oriented to contribute financially with the studies that are being globally developed to harmonize the different mechanisms that are being used in the regions. As a result of this support, standard formats were generated and consistent advancements in the development of the new Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) for the response in the Americas were achieved, moreover, the improvement of the alert and notification systems for the request and deployment of the Regional Intervention Teams (RITs).

Parallel, but in line with the previous initiatives, being one of the organizational priorities of the American Red Cross, the effective and strategic diffusion of the actions that the Red Cross executes in the Region, the past 14 of June was coordinated that production of a special radio program called “The Power of the Red Cross Movement in the Americas”, which was an initiative driven by the Vice President of the International Services of the American Red Cross, Mr. Jono Anzalone, with the goal of generating a space between the different Movement actors to share the labor that each one of them does regarding the preparation, response and recovery phases of disasters in the region. The program counted with a rich panel formed by the Head of the Disaster and Crisis Department of the IFRC, Regional Director of the American Red Cross for Latin America and the Caribbean, Executive Director of International Services for the American Red Cross, President of Costa Rica Red Cross, Nicaraguan Red Cross Executive Director, Colombian Red Cross Community Projects Coordinator and representatives from American Red Cross Chapters from Los Angeles, Chicago, Puerto Rico. The program is the first of many that will continue with the goal of strategically maximizing the visualization and positioning of the labor of the Red Cross in the Americas, which will grant strengthen spaces so that the partners can share their experiences and define potential scenarios of cooperation, technical and strategical support, allowing us to be an institution that learns from itself and shares the knowledge acquired throughout the humanitarian actions made day by day.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

Likewise, the institutional strengthening and development of based leadership within the National Societies has been and will continue to be a priority for the American Red Cross as a fundamental strategy to guarantee sustainable institutional growth and development, in the past month of June, in Panama City, took place the XIV Latin American Workshop of Leadership Skills Development (L.S.D) to which 33 members of the 8 National Societies of the Region attended, such as Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras and the American Red Cross, adding up to more than 500 members of the National societies between volunteers and regular staff ranging from the Governing boards to several levels of management that have received this training and apply it every day using the acquired tools in both their personal and professional lives.

RESILIENCE IN THE AMERICAS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LESSONS LEARNED WORKSHOP

In the past month of June, from the 20th to 22nd, in Riohacha Colombia, representatives from the National Societies of Peru, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, United States and Colombia, got together to participate on the Lessons Learned Workshop for the Resilience Project in the America (RITA), which occurred within the framework of the completion of the Project after the financial and technical support provided by the American Red Cross during the past 5 years in the region. As part of the workshop, outstanding representatives from CEPREDENAC, from the National System of Risk Management of Colombia, The National Emergency Commission of Costa Rica, corporate sector of Guajira, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the National Societies of Nicaragua and Panama, the last ones present remotely to give their input through the American Red Cross Radio. One of the most innovative and positive facts was counting as well with the presence of the Community Leaders that participated in the project from the beginning and that will be in charge of continuing in their communities the actions already undertaken, being forgers of their own destiny.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

The Workshop provided a propitious space that allowed the participants to interact and share from their perspectives and realities, the achievements, good practices and challenges that were evidenced after the implementation of the project for 5 years in their own countries. The methodology of the workshop allowed for the governing boards and management representatives from each National Society, to have the opportunity of discussing about the proper ways to generate continuity strategies at all levels, with the objective of guaranteeing the continuity of the achievements through the community and institutional strengthening of the National Societies in regard to resilience. Within the framework of activities of the workshop was celebrated the Second International Resilience Fair promoted by the American Red Cross in the Region. The event took place in the community of Jose Antonio Galan, La Guajira, which formed part of the project from the beginning. The event was attended by more than 200 members from nearby communities, who had the opportunity to participate as spectators and protagonists of educational activities addressed to all type of public through dynamics activities organized by the National Societies, through which their knowledge about the intervention sectors of the project was reinforced as the same time as they presented cultural spaces and achievements that the project has had in their communities. Having been a highlighting fact the inauguration of the first drinking water filter in the Jose Antonio Galan School, that will of benefit of hundreds of children and teenagers that attend the institution every day. One of the greatest achievements reached in the workshop, additionally to the initial objective with regards to the systematization for the future of action lines and recommendations for the implementation of projects with a focus on intervention and community participation, it was counting among their participants representatives of the governing board of the National Societies interacting with the technical management teams of the projects, which allowed that said leaders together with the American Red Cross and the IFRC signed the Riohacha Declaration to ratify the commitment to work for the strengthening and sustainability of the resilience in the region, recognizing the importance of the integral and integrated approach in the community resilience, the importance and need of creating networks that allow the involving of stakeholders as the private sector, institutions of the state, local governments and authorities of the countries at various levels, along with the definition of processes of strategic planning to set the path towards sustainability of the actions already taken by the National Societies with the RITA project in the region, having being part of the commitment and materialized through a symbolic act, the American Red Cross transfer to the IFRC (Mrs. IĂąigo Barrena, Head of Disaster and Crisis Department) of the toolbox and results of the Resilience Project in the Americas for its proper continuity and diffusion.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society teaches students of the Gloster Lodge Moravian Primary School about the Zika Virus

Team captain Mia looks for a team mate who could win much-needed points for the next round of charades, at the Gloster Lodge Moravian Primary School located in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies on Monday 3rd July 2017 during the TTRCS Zika Virus Session

In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus disease outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) initiated an emergency appeal to support national Red Cross Societies in combating the Zika Virus Outbreak. Through this initiative, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society launched a six (6) month project aimed at addressing prevention, communication and vector control in combating diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as Zika, Dengue and Chikungunya. With the theme, “You, Me, Community Zika Free”, this project is managed by the Society’s HIV and Aids Department. As one of the many initiatives of the Caribbean Red Cross Zika Project, the department visited the Gloster Lodge Moravian Primary School located in Port of Spain on Monday 3rd July, 2017 to educate students about the virus. The session consisted of forty-eight (48) pupils both boys and girls between the ages of eight (8) to twelve (12) years old. The topics of the session covered essential information such as the different types of diseases spread by mosquitos, risks of the Zika Virus, mosquito breeding and growth cycles, preparing for and preventing Zika.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

The session included fun games such as an educational game of charades based on the Zika virus. In another activity, the children were shown pictures where they had to identify mosquito breeding sites. At the end of the two (2) hour session, students were awarded prizes such as school supplies and tokens for their participation. Mr. Rayanthony Warner, Field Officer, stated that the children enjoyed the fun educational activities and developed a great understanding of the information presented to them. The department stated that they have previously visited four (4) schools and sessions are scheduled to take place at sixteen (16) additional primary schools nationwide for the upcoming school term. The department has visited one hundred and five (105) households located throughout Trinidad and Tobago and has provided education and awareness about the Zika Virus to the communities. Additionally, the team were invited to provide booth displays at fifteen (15) villages throughout Tobago from 14th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25th July 2017 for the Tobago Heritage Festival, an annual event created to preserve the unique cultural traditions of Tobago which attracts thousands of spectators. On Tuesday 25th July 2017, the TTRCS hosted a youth activity for the Red Cross Youth Links pupils at the Tobago Branch located at Signal Hill, where the children were provided with essential information about the Zika Virus, engaged in fun educational games and were awarded fun prizes.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Training of young leaders from the AMERICAS Region in Solferino and Castiglione

Italy, Solferino, June 2017. Young people from the Americas in front of the International Red Cross Memorial as part of the activities of the first youth leadership training in Solferino / Credits A.Morales/IFRC

As part of the “Strategies for Strengthening Volunteering and Youth” in America, the first training of leadership skills development for young people in the region was carried out in the framework of the Fiaccolata celebrations in Solferino, Italy, in order to share also with leaders and volunteers from other parts of the world and take advantage of the relevant significance of the place for our Movement. 16 Young people from the National Societies of Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, Grenada, Italy, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia and Suriname met from 20 to 25 June in Castiglione for the training that included experiential and practical sessions, and exchange with others participants. At the same time, the participants strengthened their leadership skills and were able to discover the history of the movement in the places where the ideas of the Red Cross were developed. To finalize the activity, the participants were actively involved in the Fiaccolata where they shared with more than 5 thousand young people commemorating the battle of Solferino. The IFRC was in charge of preparing and developing the workshop through the Regional Volunteer and Youth Development Unit and the Andean Cluster. For more information: Andrés Morales Volunteering and Youth Development Coordinator / Americas Regional Office andres.morales@ifrc.org

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

Brazilian Red Cross launches International First Aid Guidelines

The Brazilian Red Cross (BRC) launched the International Guidelines for First Aid and Resuscitation. The guidelines presented are a reference for those working in the area and also for those who want to know more about this lifesaving activity. IThe Guidances was developed from proven practices, based on evidence and scientific research, taking into account the experiences of the 190 National Societies that are part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The document evaluates and reports on the science behind First Aid and Resuscitation, with the aim of promoting the harmonization of the practice. First Aid is among the main services provided by BRC. To spread the practice, the institution dictates, in various cities of the country, courses of 4, 8, 16 and 40 hours. In addition to those carried out at the branch offices, there are others that are developed in companies that are interested in trainning heir employees in this area. The courses follow the guidelines of the Paris-based IFRC Global Reference Center for First Aid, which is a global reference in the field. In order for more people to have access to life-saving procedures, CRB has also recently launched an application that can be downloaded for free on smartphones. Through short educational videos, it is possible to know what needs to be done in different emergencies. Stroke, burns, gunshot injuries, seizures, electric shock, fracture, and chemical intoxication are some of the options.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Central American National Societies Pilot Multi-Disciplinary Advocacy Group

“It is only through the establishment of humanitarian diplomacy as an integral part of the daily work of National Societies and the International Federation, that the humanitarian objectives can be effectively achieved” stated Walter Cotte, Americas Regional Director within the framework of the Central American Regional Workshop on Legislative Advocacy and Auxiliary Role. The advocacy and disaster law focal points from the National Societies of Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala met in Panama City for three days to held their annual regional meeting. This year, in follow up to the commitments agreed in 2016, the Red Crosses were committed to deepen their knowledge in strategies to better exercise their auxiliary role towards their government and effectively advocate for stronger policies and legislation in key humanitarian topics. Starting with a session on the National Society’s legal foundation, the Red Crosses were invited to analyse their national laws where the auxiliary and humanitarian role is recognized and to what extend those laws could be revised to reflect the new thematic areas that are being covered. One of the key results from the meeting was the development of the Terms of Reference of legislative advocacy multi-disciplinary groups to be put in place in each of the Central American National Society, in compliance with the proposal adopted in the 2016 workshop. The Presidents of the National Societies approved the creation of such advocacy groups to lead and advice the humanitarian advocacy strategies in the country, and this year by developing a road map, the National Societies are committed to officialise the creation of these groups by the end of 2017.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

“The first task of the advocacy group of Honduras Red Cross will be the strategy to implement the recommendations of the country’s IDRL study” highlighted Oscar Fernández, Disaster Law focal point for Honduras Red Cross. As prioritized by the National Societies, Disaster Law and Auxiliary Role are the key areas of focus in terms of advocacy work as most of the Red Crosses in the region have undertaken legal research activities and conducted disaster law projects, advising their governments with recommendations to enforce domestic legal frameworks on integrated disaster management. The workshop also provided advocacy training to enable National Societies integrating humanitarian diplomacy into their operational plans, including the presentation of tools and material on advocacy, auxiliary role and disaster law. Additionally, to support the implementation of multidisciplinary groups along with the strategies, the participants created a National Society humanitarian diplomacy virtual group to exchange best practices, lessons learned and promote peer-to-peer support.

Community Preparation Program in Chiapas

Youth volunteers from Mexican Red Cross offer recreational workshops with topics of self-care and health care to children of the municipality of San Cristóbal de las Casas, in the state of Chiapas, as part of the Community Preparation Program with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the British automotive company, Land Rover. Date 05/31/2017. Credit José Antonio Guadarrama Ramos /

In 2015 an agreement was signed with the British Red Cross to benefit Mexico as the first country in America to join the alliance between Land Rover, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the British Red Cross. The state of Chiapas was selected as the entity to begin the project called “Community Preparation Program in Chiapas” which aims to support the rural and indigenous communities of San Cristóbal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutiérrez in strengthening and preparing for natural phenomena risk reduction. This project will last for 3 years.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

Regional Meeting of Volunteers of THE CENTRAL AMERICA CLUSTER

San Ramon, Costa Rica, June 2017. Volunteers from the Central America Cluster met in Costa Rica for the first Volunteer Meeting / Credits A.Morales/IFRC

Costa Rica hosted the first Volunteer Meeting of the Central America and Mexico Cluster. Volunteers from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama participated during four days in workshops, networking meetings and recreational activities with the aim of strengthening volunteering in the region through working together with the different National Societies. With more than 150 participants, the activity was held from 7 to 10 June in Alajuela. Various volunteer programs participated in the activity, including: First Aid responders, Youth, K-SAR, Rescue and Volunteer Ladies. For more information: AndrĂŠs Morales Volunteering and Youth Development Coordinator / Americas Regional Office andres.morales@ifrc.org

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

The Brazilian Red Cross continues with humanitarian aid actions in the Northeast región

The Brazilian Red Cross (BRC) continues to work in the Northeast region of the country, which was punished by heavy rains at the end of May. The National Intervention Team of BRC was joined by an RIT of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as well as specialists in logistics, water, sanitation and hygiene. This operation is funded through the IFRC’s Disaster and Emergency Response Fund (DREF). After initial aid during the floods, when BRC volunteers distributed clothing and food in the affected regions, 600 families in the cities of Belém de Maria, Caruaru and Barreiras in Pernambuco, and Marechal Deodoro, Alagoas were selected to continue receiving humanitarian aid. Priority was given to families who suffered flood losses, have children and the elderly, are at risk of health, have lost their livelihoods and are not among those assisted by another institution or government. The humanitarian aid provided was made up of blankets, food baskets and repellents, as well as personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning kits. According to data from the Civil Defense of the two states, in May, 31 municipalities were affected by floods, which led to the evacuation of more than 30 thousand people.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

THIRD NATIONAL PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT WORKSHOP

Psychosocial Support is part of the emergency interventions carried out by the Nicaraguan Red Cross to help individuals and communities to heal psychological damage and rebuild social structures after going through an emergency or a serious event. This way, achieving to bring comprehensive care to the population at the time of emergency response. For this reason, the Nicaraguan Red Cross carried out the National Workshop on Psychosocial Support from August 7 to 9, within the framework of the project “Capacity Building for Emergency Response in the Americas” (CERA), which is implemented by this institution with the technical and financial support of the Government of Canada and the Nicaraguan Red Cross. This workshop was developed at the NRC Training Center, located in the municipality of Ciudad Sandino. In total, 16 people from the branches of: Masaya, León, Chinandega, Jinotega, Granada, Jinotepe, Rivas, Boaco, Matagalpa and Managua Headquarters participated. The workshop was given by Lic. Ana Carolina Picado Díaz, Volunteer Psychologist and Psychosocial Support for Emergencies and Disasters focal point, with the support of Volunteers Lic. Dulce Lezama and Yessenia Aragón. The Lic. Picado Díaz, thanked each participant for the integration they had in each of the themes and practical exercises developed during the implementation of the workshop. She also hopes that everything learned will be shared with his colleagues in each branch. “The purpose of this workshop is to strengthen the capacity of Psychosocial Support response teams to respond to situations focused on emotional recovery in crisis or disaster situations; also the brigades can intervene in the procedures and protocols that allow them to be integrated into the sectoral commissions of the National Prevention, Mitigation and Disaster Assistance System (SINAPRED)”, emphasized Oswaldo Baldelomar, Coordinator of the CERA Project.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME LAUNCHED IN THE CARIBBEAN

A Regional Leadership Development Programme has been launched in the Caribbean to strengthen the capacity of leaders in management and governance roles in Red Cross National Societies (NS) who contribute to the development of the NS. The programme seeks to build leadership and organisational competencies which allow these leaders to respond more effectively and efficiently to the mission of the NS. The first activity in the Programme was an Induction and Orientation Workshop (Movement Induction Course [MIC]) which was held in Antigua from July 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7, in collaboration with the ICRC and the British Red Cross. Thirty-one persons from 13 NSs and 3 Over-seas Branches participated in the workshop and will continue to take part in the Leadership Programme which will run for 1-year. Representatives from the 16 countries present benefited from a wide range of presentations and information on the core functions and strategic focus areas of the Movement. The agenda included key topics on the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement such as on its Fundamental Principles; the legal and normative context; Humanitarian Diplomacy; and the Auxiliary Role of the RC. A team of regional and international experts on topics including Governance, Leadership, Transparency and Integrity, National Society Development and Human Talent Development imparted their knowledge and guidance to the diverse group. Arising out of the workshop, attendees have created their Personal Development Plan which identifies those areas where they require further growth and experience professionally and/or personally. A core element of the Leadership Programme is the Mentorship element whereby a team of mentors will provide support to participants for the next year and will share not only their technical expertise with the mentees but also valuable personal experiences which has contributed to their leadership roles and abilities.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society’s Youth Department held it’s 73rd Annual Chain Gathering Ceremony

Link members during the formation of the chain at the Mt. Pleasant Recreational Facility, located in Tobago on Friday 12th May, 2017 at the 73rd Annual National Chain Gathering Ceremony.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education – Tobago Education District hosted the 73rd Annual National Chain Gathering Ceremony on Friday 12th May, 2017 at the Mt. Pleasant Recreational Facility, Tobago. This event is held annually to commemorate the birthday of Red Cross founder, Henri Dunant achievements and the success of National Societies worldwide. This year’s theme was entitled, “Everywhere for Everyone” with the sub theme, “Did you Know”. Three hundred (300) students, including Junior and Senior Cadets as well as Youth Arm Groups marched and displayed their talents at the ceremony. Links included the educational districts of Tobago and from Trinidad; Port of Spain and Environs, St. George East, North Eastern, South Eastern, Victoria and St. Patrick. The links participated in the march past parade and the formation of the chain before being addressed by several persons including Mrs. Sherry Anne Rollocks Hackett, School Supervisor III who chaired the programme and left the students with a few motivational lines: “I am special, I am fantastic, I am awesome, I am important, I am unique, I am wonderful.” Greetings were given by Chairman of the TTRCS Tobago Branch, Dr. Ellis Burris. The World Red Cross Day Message was read by Mr. Lester Frederick, Vice President of the TTRCS who reminded children and teachers of the significance of the quote, “a chain is as strong as its weakest link.” The Feature Speaker was School Psychologist Ms. Marion Kent who expounded on the theme “Everywhere for Everyone”. She spoke about the Red Cross members in Argentina and Haiti who are dedicated to assisting victims. She emphasized the need for us to work with others and assist persons in need with our available resources. Following one of the presentations, one of our link members Zola Augilliera won a prize for answering correctly to the question: Who is the founder of Red Cross?

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

community engagement and accountability training in haiti

From 10-14 July, a Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) training took place at Anse-dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hainault, Haiti. Community engagement and accountability (CEA) is an approach to Red Cross and Red Crescent programming and operations. It is supported by aset of activities that help put communities at the centre of what we do, by integrating communication and participation throughout the programme cycle or operation.

International HELP course, in Cuba

For 5 years, the Cuban Red Cross has held an International Preparatory Course: Health Emergencies in Large Populations, known as HELP. In this sixth edition 33 students participated (20 national and 13 foreign). The course was sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the National Health School, with highly trained national and foreign teachers who took participants through conferences on Hospital Management, Logistics, Epidemiology, International Humanitarian Law, theoretical and practical exercises on decision-making and other knowledge that will allow them to coordinate and plan a temporary shelter for large populations affected by disasters and emergencies of all kinds.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Training for immediate disaster response The municipalities of Villa Canales and San Miguel Petapa belong to the department of Guatemala, both of them are in urban areas, but their communities are highly vulnerable to floods and landslides because they have several rivers around them. This is why, the Guatemalan Red Cross, with the support of Norwegian Red Cross, trained 476 people in both municipalities through the “Community Resilience Project” with the aim of increasing the resilience of these communities to disasters. “The municipality of San Miguel Peta is very vulnerable, each year, especially in winter, the rising of the Pínula river causes problems, putting the population at risk, that is why it is very important that we are trained, ready and prepared to respond to these threats. Thanks to the Red Cross we are achieving this.” Ana Lucia, Sub Coordinator of the Local Coordinator for the Disaster Reduction of the urban center of San Miguel Petapa. “I am supporting the Community Resilience Project ... and participating in this project has helped me and changed my life ... I am now aware that engaging in resilience activities can keep neighbors together and reduce disasters.” Walter Estuardo Oreallana, member of the Local Coordinator for the Disaster Reduction of the urban center of San Miguel Petapa “I want to thank the Guatemalan Red Cross for the support it has given to our village, because thanks to its constant training and the strengthening of our Local Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, who are mostly women, thank you for taking us into account and watching over for the sake of our village, thanks to it we are now a resilient community. “ Gilda María Pérez de Villa Canales, Aldea San José El Tablón During the training process communities acquire the necessary knowledge and tools to identify their risks and implement disaster risk reduction actions.

This course aims at helping stakeholders to build the capacity of Caribbean communities to increase their resilience to climate change and to reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters. The specific objectives are: • To help National Societies and partners integrate climate change into risk assessments • To support National Societies and partners to integrate a climate-smart approach in their community-based initiatives • To exchange knowledge and best practices on how to build resilience for adaptation to climate change Methodology The course is taught in online mode through the Virtual Campus of the Red Cross www.redcrosscampus.org, which students access by connecting to the Internet in their time of preference. The program will be tutored by specialists in the subject that will support the participants in the teaching-learning process with individual and continuous monitoring, encouraging participation and collaborative learning, taking advantage of all the tools provided by this virtual training platform: Forums, Chat, Interactive Content, Case Studies, Discussion Forums, Self-Assessment Test, Links to External Websites, Infographics, Videos, Bibliography, News, etc. Continue interaction throughout the course will be encouraged in the following ways: • Student-content: properly mediated pedagogically and formally. Self-assessments with feedback, simple and intuitive interface, clear indications of the learning path. References and links to documents and complementary sites to deepen the subject. • Student-students: group discussion forums each week for the exchange of experiences, case studies, lessons learned, best practices, ideas for solutions, etc. • Student-tutor: The tutor of the course will accompany the process in several moments, on the one hand clarifying doubts, questions or need to expand information; Moderate virtual forums and review and provide feedback for each task. Duration and certification The Climate Change Virtual Course consists of 25 hours of training and is taught online for 5 weeks from August 21 to September 24, 2017. The Course cost is 650 dollars. The Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre ensures grants to selected participants. The participants who successfully complete the Course will be awarded with a Certificate in “Climate Change” by The Caribbean Disaster Risk Management Reference Centre.

For further information, please contact: Reynette Royer Coordinator, CADRIM + 1 (246) 417 1530/2727

Reynette.royer@ifrc.org

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #7 | August 2017

Workshop on International Humanitarian Law

With the support of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for Mexico, Central America and Cuba was held the Workshop “The applicability of international humanitarian law to the challenges of the 21st century”. The meeting was attended by university professors, members of the University cathedra of International Humanitarian Law, members of the Cuban Red Cross and representatives of the Ministries of Higher Education and Justice.

Cuban Red Cross present in the National Motocross Cup As part of the recreational activities designed for the enjoyment of the population that is on vacation in the summer months in Cuba, sports are a great option for fans throughout the country. One example is the celebration of the National Motocross Cup, organized by the National Institute of Sports and Recreation (INDER) and held on the Paso del Rio track, in the Güines municipality in the Mayabeque province, where about twenty volunteers from the Cuban Red Cross were present. Between the deafening noise of the machines and the exhausting summer sun, guaranteeing the primary attention of the athletes and the general population that went to enjoy the participation of several provinces, the representatives of Red Cross Youth and the municipal Veterans Council, were ready to provide their First Aid expertise to anyone in need. Giving and example of the humanism that characterizes and distinguishes them, the members of the Red Cross of Güines once again were present to meet the needs of their community.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean â&#x20AC;˘ #7 | August 2017

communication Video

Argentina Red Cross Flood Operation (spanish)