VOICES OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN #3 | NOVEMBER, 2016
Content p2. International Day for Disaster Reduction• p6. World Disasters Report 2016 • p9. Facts and figures emergency operations • p10. Haiti Operation: Hurricane Matthew • p11. Ecuador Earthquake Operation • p13. Regional Forum on gender equality, violence prevention and accountability • p13. OCAC and BOCAC training workshop • p14. Fleet management and driver training in Nepal • p15. Mobile operators launch the “We care about Guatemala” campaign with the Guatemalan Red Cross • p16. Integrating the training of facilitators in branch offices • p16. Technical seminar on the development of a leadership program • p17. Global Youth Comission meets in Costa Rica • p17. “Partners for equality” • p18. Juvenile detention center, a challenge for humanitarian mission • p20. Workshop to certify BOCA facilitators • p20. Peruvian universities sign declaration in support of disaster risk management • p21. Communities strengthen their response capacities with the support of the Red Cross • p21. Small actions that generate big changes • p22. Chilean Red Cross wins award for “Red Monday” campaign
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
International Day for Disaster Reduction The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), celebrated on October 13 of each year, is a day to celebrate the way in which people and communities are reducing risks in the face of disasters and increasing the degree of awareness of the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction. It is also a day to urge all citizens and governments to participate in the efforts to establish communities and nations that are more resilient to disasters. Living to tell: The theme of # IDDR16 The 2016 campaign sought to create a new level of awareness of actions to reduce mortality around the world. This year, several National Red Cross Societies joined the day to raise awareness of the importance of disaster reduction and to make their work on this issue visible.
IN IMAGES PANAMA
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Did you know... The International Day for Disaster Reduction - #IDDR was launched in 1989. That year, the UN General Assembly approved its celebration, considering that #IDDR represents a way to promote a global culture on disaster risk reduction, including prevention, mitigation and preparedness. Originally, the #IDDR was held on the second Wednesday of October, but in 2009 the General Assembly decided to establish October 13 of each year as the date of the International Day for Disaster Reduction - #IDDR. 3
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
COSTA RICA RED CROSS As part of the celebration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), the Costa Rica Red Cross organized a series of cultural and health activities in Sixaola, with the aim of motivating the organizations and population of the canton of Talamanca and the neighboring communities in Panama, on the importance of implementing specific actions recommended for disaster reduction. “We are sharing with border communities of Sixaola in Costa Rica and others in Panama. We intend to share courses and capacities that foster a culture of prevention on both sides of the border. The Red Cross, the National Emergency Commission and other institutions are carrying out joint work to ensure that communities’ responses are coordinated and effective in the face of disasters. Prevention and preparedness are the best way and tool to avoid deaths in the event of emergencies,” stated Glauco Quesada, President of the Costa Rica Red Cross, during the IDDR celebration in Sixaola.
NICARAGUAN RED CROSS Exhibitions, demonstrations and the presentation of the play “Live to tell (Vivir para contarlo),” starring the theater group Águilas de Xolotlán, were part of the activities carried out by the Nicaraguan Red Cross as part of the celebration of the “International Day for Disaster Reduction.” The purpose of this activity is to disseminate the disaster prevention and preparedness work that the Nicaraguan Red Cross has been implementing as an auxiliary of the State’s public authorities and as part of the National Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief System (SINAPRED, for its acronym in Spanish). At the same time, it celebrates the way in which people are reducing their risk in the face of disasters and raising awareness of the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction. Dr. Oscar Gutiérrez, President of the Nicaraguan Red Cross, stressed that “since 1999, our institution has been working hard on the Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness programs in communities, municipalities, departments, neighborhoods, which have been affected by drought, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, among others, thus allowing the development of the local capacities of families and making them more resilient to face risks. We also join the actions to reduce mortality in regards to disasters and their health consequences on people, including prevention, mitigation and preparedness to deal with them.”
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
CRUZ ROJA SALVADOREÑA The Salvadorean Red Cross participated in the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction and the 30th anniversary of the earthquake of October 10, 1986, which resulted in 1,500 deaths. Different projects carried out by the Salvadorean Red Cross were present at the fair held at Plaza Cívica, where they explained to the people who attended the activity how to protect their livelihoods in the event of emergencies, care for water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, in addition to how to eliminate the mosquito that transmits multiple diseases. The Salvadorean Red Cross participated in the National Earthquake Drill, held on October 10, where the evacuation and response capacity of all members of the institution was determined. For several years now, the Salvadoran Red Cross has carried out actions that promote preparedness in the event of possible emergencies, in addition to taking measures that reduce the amount of risks in vulnerable areas. Likewise, there was representation of the Rescue Corps (Cuerpo de Guardavidas, Socorristas y Juventud in Spanish) to demonstrate that they will carry out first response actions in case of any emergency in the country. “The Salvadorean Red Cross has many disaster preparedness projects, where work is conducted with communities, municipalities and departments to provide comprehensive follow-up to existing risks,” said Salvador Ordóñez, Red Cross Project Technician.
BOLIVIAN RED CROSS Commemorating the International Day for Disaster Reduction, La Paz Branch of the Bolivian Red Cross, along with all the Immediate Response Teams in La Paz, participated in the Fair and Drill near Plaza Abaroa.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
World Disasters Report 2016 Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Resilience: Saving lives today, investing for tomorrow
New report calls for a major shift in international aid financing A lack of global investment in strengthening community resilience is leaving tens of millions of people exposed to predictable, preventable and catastrophic disaster risks, stresses the World Disasters Report 2016, launched today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). According to the report, despite broad recognition that investing in resilience before a disaster can save lives and money, only 40 cents in every 100 US dollars spent on international aid is invested in preparedness and measures to reduce disaster risk. “Investing in resilience is the best method we have for protecting the lives, livelihoods and dignity of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said IFRC Secretary General, Elhadj As Sy. “Business as usual is no longer acceptable. It will only lead to more silent suffering and deeper poverty. “We must work along a continuum – of preparedness, early response, recovery and resilience building.” The World Disasters Report 2016 paints a picture of a world facing complex challenges that cannot be comprehensively addressed through post-disaster response or emergency interventions. Forced migration is at its highest level since the Second World War. The number and scale of disasters triggered by natural hazards are increasing. Globalization and urbanization means outbreaks and other health crises are harder to contain, and the impact of climate change is taking its toll – 2015 was the hottest year on record with 32 major droughts, double the ten-year average. Between 1991 and 2010, the impact of recorded disaster events in poor countries resulted in over 840 billion US dollars of financial losses. Yet, over the same period, only 0.4 per cent of the 3.3 trillion US dollars spent on aid was dedicated to prevention or risk reduction. “It is clear that something must change,” said co-editors David Sanderson and Anshu Sharma. “But responding to today’s humanitarian challenges is not just a question of finance. We must invest in solutions and partnerships that produce future resilience – livelihoods and social cohesion, health and psychosocial well-being, supporting communities to withstand future shocks and adversity.” From forecast-based financing and preparedness activities in Bangladesh to seed bank building in Senegal, the World Disasters Report outlines numerous examples showing how more resilient communities cope better with risks and hazards. Building on the report, the IFRC is also calling on partners to support and join the One Billion Coalition for Resilience – a global initiative to support communities around the world to take action to strengthen their safety, health and well-being. Launched in late 2015, the 1BC seeks to build a broad coalition of partners from across all sectors to support 1 billion people by 2025.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
About the World Disasters Report The World Disasters Report is an annual independent publication commissioned by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Each year, experts present a body of research that examines challenges, trends and innovations around a specific humanitarian theme.
For more information and to download the report visit: http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/publications/world-disasters-report-2016/
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OPERATIONS
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
FACTS AND FIGURES
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EMERGENCY APPEAL Country
Emergency
Pop. Affected
Pop. Assisted
Budget
Coverage
Closing date
Haiti Costa Rica & Panama Ecuador Regional Argentina Paraguay Guatemala El Salvador
Hurricane Pop. Movement Earthquake Zika Outbreak Floods Floods Drought Drought
1.000.000 10.000 1.200.000 137.000 50.930 136.450 400.000 500.000
147.500 6.350 85.324 500.000 23.002 24.560 12.000 9.020
28.236.416 642.202 15.085.628 8.478.961 448.933 1.144.516 2.037.059 2.257.946
24% 36% 51% 82% 54% 82% 13% 12%
Apr 06, 2018 May 22, 2017 Aug 21, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Jan 31, 2017 Oct 24, 2016 Jan 04, 2017 Feb 28, 2017
ACTUAL APPEAL COVERAGE
8 APPEALS
40%
People affected: 3.434.380 People assisted: 807.756 Budget: 58.331.661 CHF
23,249,464 CHF FUNDING GAP
60%
35,082,197 CHF
DREF OPERATIONS Country Cuba Peru Honduras Jamaica Saint Lucia Totales
Emergency Drought Earthquake Pop. Movement Hurricane Hurricane
Percentage of emergency operations by type
Pop. Affected 500.000 11.115 5.000 100.000 25.000 641.115
Pop. Assisted 10.000 5.000 4.000 2.620 1.250 22.870
8% 23%
15%
15%
23% 15%
Budget 195.508 246.893 156.492 130.149 72.711 801.753
Closing date Dec 02, 2016 Nov 24, 2016 Feb 01, 2017 Dec 07, 2016 Ene 14, 2017
Drought Hurricane Earthquake Floods Pop. Movement Zika Outbreak
13 OPERATIONS 9
HAITI OPERATION: HURRICANE MATTHEW The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched a revised Emergency Appeal that seeks 28,236,416 Swiss francs (increased from 6,852,515) to enable the IFRC to support the Haiti Red Cross Society (HRCS) in assisting 147,500 people for 18 months. It includes coordinated interventions for a number Red Cross Movement components including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Partner National Societies active in Haiti, and the expanded operation will focus on the following sectors: health; water, sanitation and hygiene promotion; shelter (including household non-food items); livelihoods, food security; disaster risk reduction and restoring family links; it also reflects a substantial increase in the target population, timeframe for implementation, number of activities and of volunteers, and an enlarged geographic scope. The planned response reflects the current situation and information available at this time of the evolving operation, and it will be adjusted based on further developments and more detailed assessments.
ACTUAL COVERAGE
APPEAL
28.2 million Swiss francs Timeframe
18 meses To assist
24%
Total contributions 6.682.833
Current gap
21.553.583 CHF
147.500 people
HOW TO Support our response Promote our online campaign: https://www.ammado.com/community/haiti-hurricane/donate
For financial or other mechanisms of support: alejandra.vanhensbergen@ifrc.org
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
ecuador EARTHQUAKE OPERation were not only mourning and in pain, but they also lost the few things they had after the flooding due to the irreparable damage caused by the earthquake.
“I know that I will make it, even if it takes me a year to recover” Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana
Because of its geographical location, the Ecuadorian coast is prone to natural disasters. The landslides and flood during certain times of the year mark the daily life of the inhabitants of the Playa Prieta community, a beautiful valley irrigated by the crystalline waters of the Chico River, located within 15 km from the capital of Villa Nueva de San Gregorio de Portoviejo, which belongs to the Rio Chico parish in the municipality of Portoviejo, Manabi province. In spite of these unexpected events, the inhabitants have been able to recover their crops every year and have a calm lifestyle. However, when two disasters happen simultaneously, the blow is much harder. It seems like nature has had no mercy for this community. Only a few days before the earthquake hit on 11 April 2016, a flooding had destroyed part of its sown fields and caused considerable damage to households and streets of the community. During five days, the inhabitants of Playa Prieta community planned the recovery of their fields and started working on a plan that would allow them to regain their income to support their families. The work was started and people were full of hope to regain some of what was lost during the flooding. But it did not happen. Five days later, at 6:58 pm on 16 April, a new terrible event would hit the thriving town of Manabita: a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck their town and drove them to despair. Everything they had built totally collapsed, and the community went into panic: they could not believe it. Families
Ninety houses from the community were affected by the quake. Entire families were on the street and had lost their source of income. They had to gather the few things they had managed to save, and moved to other places. Nexar Barreiro, who has lived in Playa Prieta since his childhood, was one of the neighbours who suffered the consequences of the disaster. He had to move out with his son because his house had collapsed. Nexar was engaged in planting lemon, cocoa and bananas. The flooding ruined most of his crops, and the earthquake ended up destroying what was left. Despite these bitter moments, the inhabitants of Playa Prieta still hope for recovering the peaceful lives they had before being affected by the two disasters. They hope to go back to normal in his beloved Playa Prieta. “Things got complicated. Now we have no place to live and no income from our land; however, after the flooding and the earthquake I try to keep calm, because now I know that no one can fight against nature”, says Nexar. Despite the difficulties, he has been rebuilding his home little by little and recovering his land. “I believe in God and I know that, with His help, I will make it, even if it takes me a year to recover,” he says. The community of Playa Prieta received assistance from the Ecuadorian Red Cross during the emergency period. On several occasions, 307 families from the area benefited from tool and kitchen kits, blankets and tarpaulins. “There is no doubt that this support is very useful, and I am very grateful for this gesture,” says Nexar. His greatest wish is to recover his farm and make it “more beautiful than before.”
HOW TO Support our response Promote our online campaign: https://www.ammado.com/community/ecuadorearthquake For financial or other mechanisms of support please contact: alejandra.vanhensbergen@ifrc.org 11
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
NEWS 12
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Regional Forum on Gender Equity, Violence Prevention and Accountability From October 26 to 28, the Regional Forum ““Integration of Gender Equality, Violence Prevention, and Community Engagement & Accountability as cross-cutting themes in emergency preparedness and response” was held in Panama City as part of the actions developed within the “Capacity Building for Emergency Response in the Americas” (CERA), an initiative that is co-funded by the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada and implemented with technical support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (Read full note - Spanish)
OCAC and BOCA Training Workshop The Organizational Development Unit held the OCAC and BOCA Training Workshop at the headquarters of the International Federation in Panama, with the participation of members of 18 National Societies from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. During these days, representatives of the ICRC and staff from other units of the International Federation worked together with participants in the workshop that had an agenda focused on the OCAC and BOCA processes. The aim was to carry out peer-to-peer activities to share experiences, describe the role of facilitators, dynamics and role-plays to simulate self-assessment, the presentation of other tools used by the Movement, as well as follow-up mechanisms to the Houston commitment. As a result, commitments and working groups were generated to meet the needs identified during these days of work, with the aim to encourage the development of National Societies and make them capable of doing more and fulfilling their mission in a better way.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Fleet Management and Driver Training in Nepal
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies operate in 190 countries around the world. In many of its projects it utilizes four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles to bring Disaster Response assistance to populations in need. The drivers of these vehicles hold very responsible positions. Apart from ensuring the care of expensive equipment (vehicles), drivers are also responsible for the safety of the passengers and of other road users. The driver also becomes part of the first assessment teams who visit places after Disasters strike, but no one will chronicle in any report that the driver was part of the response team and his exceptional contribution to the whole operation. The goal of the Fleet management and Driver Training – Nepal 2016 was to contribute to the improvement of fleet safety and fleet management practices by providing professional technical guidance and support to the IFRC and NS fleet management by: • • •
Advocating and providing a clear message on fleet safety and fleet management issues at a global level in order to increase awareness of a globally important issue and to increase participation in the process. Networking and sharing to inspire, connect and unite, IFRC and National Societies in the fleet safety and fleet management field around the world, so we can work together and easily share information and experiences. Capacity building and development; to equip National Societies with fleet management tools, communication and technical skills in order to organize effective fleet management trainings within their own branches.
A total of 31 drivers were trained and of these 16 reached a level of qualified driver with approved skills who can now be called “IFRC vehicle fleet operators”. Two of the qualified drivers were certified as evaluator for the IFRC Country Office in Nepal and NRCS.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Mobile operators launch the “We Care About Guatemala” campaign with the Guatemalan Red Cross
Claro, Movistar and Tigo signed a cooperation agreement with GSMA and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to work together on the use of mobile services in preparedness and response to disasters caused by natural phenomena through the “We Care About Guatemala (Nos Importa Guatemala)” campaign. Guatemala is one of the few countries in which three tectonic plates converge. It has approximately 288 volcanoes and structures of volcanic origin, 8 of which report activity. In addition, it is a country highly prone to the impact of the El Niño and La Niña Phenomena, generating humanitarian consequences at the national level. “Collaboration between the national mobile industry and the Guatemalan Red Cross is essential to maximize the benefits of mobile technology in responding to disasters,” said Sebastián Cabello, GSMA Regional Director for Latin America. The “We Care About Guatemala” campaign, which includes the three national mobile operators and the Guatemalan Red Cross, will be focused on an initiative to prepare for emergency, disaster and crisis response. It will include the following phases: • • • • •
Establishment of a coordination table or committee between government institutions responsible for disaster response, the private sector and other key actors. Creation of an action protocol for the prioritization of the mobile network as a public necessity in case of emergencies or crises. Sensitization and training on the proper use of the mobile telephones during emergencies. Promotion of the voluntary donation of blood in emergencies and the dissemination of safe places or shelters to provide assistance to the population. Analysis of the best technologies to be implemented for emergency response.
The International Federation and GSMA regard this agreement as an acknowledgement of their wishes to continue working together with National Societies, mobile operators and Governments to provide humanitarian assistance to people in need, wherever and whenever they need it.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
Integrating the training of facilitators in branch offices From September 28 to October 2, Paula Ameijeiras, Senior Officer of the Partnerships and Resource Development Department of the International Federation, and the Coordinating Development Advisor of the Colombian Red Cross, Fernando Cubides, implemented a workshop for the training of facilitators and BOCA implementation in Marcala, Honduras, using a new format. The objective of the workshop was the strengthening of Honduran Red Cross branches and the training of facilitators for the implementation of the BOCA tool in the Honduran Red Cross Councils. During the first two days, 16 facilitators from 12 councils were trained; during the next two days, a BOCA self-assessment exercise was carried out in the Comayagua, Taulabé and Marcala Councils; and, on the fifth day, a meeting on lessons learned and next steps was held with facilitators.
Technical Seminar for the Development of a Leadership Program Development of a regional MIC for America and a national MIC format Under the facilitation of José Antonio Monroy, Head of Special Projects at the Mexican Red Cross, a group of Organizational Development experts worked on building a leadership development program. Two key new products were developed for the National Societies in the region: a regional version of the MIC for leaders of America and a national format to support National Societies in building a training program for their leaders under a branch approach. The group was integrated by experts from the International Federation and several National Red Cross Societies (Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile). The new regional course model will be taught for the first time in November of this year for Spanish-speaking countries. Subsequently, another course will be held for National Societies in English-speaking countries.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
global youth comission meets in costa rica The Youth Commission is the governing body of the IFRC that is responsible for advising on matters that relate to young people and development of National Society youth sections. Also, It also promotes the implementation of the International Federation Youth Policy and seeks youth opinions worldwide to ensure that these latter are considered at the governance level of our Movement. The meeting, celebrated from September 11 to September 13, was the first one to be held outside Geneva. This was made possible due to the joint efforts of the Volunteering and Youth Development Unit of the Americas Regional Office, the Costa Rican Red Cross and the Secretariat of the International Federation. (Read more)
BOLIVIAN RED CROSS
“PARTNERS for equality” As part of the process of inclusion and equitable participation of women in First Response Teams, women operators who provide assistance during incidents, emergencies and disasters in the department of Santa Cruz, held a Fair under the motto “Partners for Equality”(Cómplices por la equidad). The event was organized on Sunday, October 23, at the premises of the Urban Park, by the different First Response and Disasters institutions with the support of the Strengthening of First Response and Emergency Response (PRAE, for its acronym in Spanish) Project in Bolivia, with participation of the Santa Cruz Branch. (Read more - Spanish)
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
colombian red cross
JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, A CHALLENGE FOR HUMANITARIAN MISSION
Por: Ana Mercedes Peña Valero / Analyst Urban Violence
A group of volunteers from the Colombian Red Cross, feeling and living the principle of humanity, they try to resignify dyad that is established when a city lives violence where victims are generated, but also are victimizers. For more than three years ago the Colombian Red Cross Sectional Antioquia in its commitment to contribute and fulfill its humanitarian mission develops actions in the specialized care centers for young people who are in the Criminal Responsibility System for Adolescents (SRPA) for its acronym in Spanish. The PACO Programme (Peace, Action and Coexistence) initiates actions in detention centers, looking contribute and support the process of social reintegration it is done with young people, where activities are developed from the methodology of existential and experiential being playful, art and music tools to reach young people to leave messages humanitarian against respect for life, care of himself and the other; that there are other opportunities different life to which they have been linked. A day with PACO in detention centers It’s 8:00 am, and arrive at the headquarters of the Antioquia branch volunteers with her suitcase, there draw their blue overalls; every time you put it, it makes them feel and remember the excitement generated power to help others. The facilitator, an enthusiastic young, rganizes the material and then meet with other volunteers to tell them about the activity of the day; When everything is ready, they pick up the Red Cross car that will take them to the center “La Acogida” “La Pola” o “La Granja”. Once there, start the registration process and requisitioning of incoming materials, and each person; greet the coordinator of the Centre and when this authorizes income target for each security grills to reach the youth group is waiting.There are days that young people are very happy and receive them with all the energy and there are others in which his spirit is very low because they have not seen his family have had internal disorders or behavior problems. That day young people were waiting, the activity was to make cards for their families; It is a very sensitive and important space because these young people seek to be always “strong, brave and bad” and in this activity are allowed to be children -what really are- drawing hearts, flowers, animals, decorating with colors; ask for help to write messages of love, expressing how much they miss their loved ones, and how they want them. 18
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
After the activity the young stay with their letter, delivered the weekend when their families visit, they feel happy and grateful. The team says goodbye and collects the material, An inventory of the material entering the center and leaving the Center is made. Once at the headquarters of the Antioquia Sectional the volunteers evaluate how it went, a space is formed to express feelings to hear the stories of young people and what they wrote in their letters. They are learning, lessons and challenges that lead to the Red Cross to think how to make the process of social inclusion with a population that lack of opportunities chooses violence as a way of life, which sometimes does not understand or understand the value of the lifetime, wing respect human dignity and all because they have never lived. That is why these spaces where the Red Cross participates in specialized care centers, the work of other young people who voluntarily attend yet available. honey and especially its principle of humanity, to see everyone and all as human beings, without tags, allows youth from SRPA have other references of life, other options and above all learn to unlearn violence. The violence generates victims and set victimizers, Red Cross creates a creates spaces and set new heroes.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
SALVADOREAN RED CROSS
Workshop to certify BOCA Facilitators Within the framework of the “Institutional Strengthening of Salvadorean Red Cross Capacities” Project, a workshop was held to certify BOCA facilitators, a tool that helps to assess the capacity and performance of each delegation or branch, i.e., strengths and results and, therefore, identify the opportunities to improve the weaknesses that allow to develop a plan of action for its development. “This training will greatly help this National Society to make the respective improvements and the appropriate changes to provide greater quality in all the actions that the Salvadoran Red Cross develops,” emphasized Deputy Director of Community Resilience Programs, Ing. René Aparicio. It is intended for the BOCA tool to be applied in the 60 Branches of the Salvadoran Red Cross and, thus, improve the humanitarian service provided in the country. The workshop has the participation of representatives of delegations at the national level, who fulfill a specific profile for the replication of knowledge with other volunteers.
PERUVIAN RED CROSS
Peruvian universities sign declaration in support of disaster risk management High authorities from universities in Peru joined forces to make a commitment to the governing risk management body in the country in order to promote a culture of prevention from education, research and university projection in and from universities. In the high-level forum, organized by the Disaster Risk Management Secretariat-PCM and the Peruvian Red Cross, the highest authorities of twenty-four universities signed the “Declaration of the Peruvian Universities on their Advocacy Role in the National Disaster Risk Management System (SINAGERD, for its acronym in Spanish).” The Disaster Risk Management Secretariat of the Presidency of the Peruvian Ministers’ Council and the Peruvian Red Cross thanked their key partners, the German Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department and REDULAC, for their important contribution to this important process.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • #3 // November 2016
COSTA RICA RED CROSS
Communities strengthen their response capacities with the support of the Red Cross “These activities are excellent. We thank the Red Cross because these type of projects unite communities and help us prepare for the future. One is prepared in an organized way for the good of all,” said Maritza Muñoz, who has lived in Los Almendros de Cutris de San Carlos for 7 years, and is a member of that community in the northern region of the country, who benefit from a series of training and organizational initiatives that the Costa Rica Red Cross promotes in that region. The project to which Maritza Muñoz refers to is an initiative of the Costa Rica Red Cross, which has the financial and technical support of the American Red Cross and the Office of the United States Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), and to which the National Emergency Commission has also joined. The Red Cross develops workshops through which people are trained to deal with a situation of risk or an emergency. In addition, there are play and educational activities for children; all families participate and learn together as an organized community. “Through its humanitarian work, the Red Cross has understood that, in order to contribute to increasing the capacity of response and recovery of vulnerable people, it is necessary to promote integrated approaches to risk identification and management and, thus, to better understand community dynamics and their vulnerabilities. All this based on communal and people-centered demands,” said Ronny Campos, Costa Rica Red Cross Officer and Project Manager for CRA-OFDA in Costa Rica.
Haiti Red Cross
Small actions that generate big changes Following his participation in a training workshop on the use of the ODK and Mega V tools, held in Haiti as part of the Strengthening the Emergency Response Capacity in the Americas (CREA, for its acronym in Spanish) Project, an initiative co-financed by the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada and implemented with technical support from the International Federation, Cliford, a Haitian Red Cross volunteer, supports response by teaching colleagues how to use the tool to support relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
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communications Chilean Red Cross wins award for “Red Monday” campaign Following the efficiency of the “Red Monday” campaign for volunteer donor recruitment, headed by the Chilean Red Cross, and whose design was under the responsibility of J.W. Thompson Chile and positioned by Hill and Knowlton and Cinemark, it was awarded GOLD in the 2016 EFFIE Awards, in the category of Non-Profit Social Marketing. Among more than 54 categories, advertisers, trademarks, agencies and institutions, the Chilean Red Cross together with J.W. Thompson Chile were awarded GOLD. Effie Awards Chile is the only professional evaluation body in this area, which focuses on the effectiveness of marketing communications. It is currently organized in thirty-four countries in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Chilean Red Cross, Patricio Acosta, and the National Marketing Coordinator of the institution, Nelson Molina. “It was a night full of excitement. This award makes us think about the greatness of the Red Cross and its Volunteering, and motivates us to continue working to alleviate the suffering of communities in vulnerable situations,” said Acosta. For his part, Molina said: “We worked on this project for more than a year, with which we have given visibility to the Red Cross and a concrete solution to the deficit of blood donors, which constitutes a national issue. It is an award for all volunteers, a way to highlight the great work we do not only by promoting voluntary blood donation, but also many other humanitarian actions that take place in different corners of the country.”
Contact information
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Americas Regional Office Diana Medina, Communications Manager | diana.medina@ifrc.org Diana Arroyo, Senior Communications Officer | diana.arroyo@ifrc.org
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