VOICES OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN APRIL 2020
Content EDITORIAL 3
REGIONAL RESPONSE COVID-19 6
We are in this together: Response to COVID-19 in the Americas
7
In pictures: National Societies united in one effort
9
Mission “Regreso a Casa” 16
Course: Coronavirus: Basic knowledge and prevention measures
17
Ten steps to preventing COVID-19 18 Blue Shields protect cultural heritage 20 Psychosocial support and first aid for people affected by civil unrest in Bolivia
21
The park is ours, “I take care of it”
22
Hearing the voices of children and adolescents in Peru
24
Henry Dunant Society visits Costa Rican Red Cross
26
Red Cross near you 28
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Americas Regional Office City of Knowledge, Clayton. Panama Tel: +507 317 3050 Many thanks to all who have contributed to this issue of Voices from the Americas and the Caribbean.
Editorial Dear members of the Red Cross family in the Americas. You are committed to our humanitarian cause and deserve our admiration, recognition, and love. I would like to take advantage of the first Voices of the Americas in 2020 to thank you for your efforts to adapt to these new difficult and challenging times. This edition of Voices of the Americas was intended to be different and COVID-19 teaches us every day that flexibility must be an integral part of our approach to emergencies and our programs. I invite you to have hope, faith and optimism about our humanitarian mission, which can save lives and help many people, even when we are constrained by the strict and necessary epidemic control mechanisms that force us to quarantine a large part of the Red Cross teams. I recognize and deeply appreciate the efforts of volunteers as well as health, risk management, and administration professionals from National Societies and the IFRC who continue to work from home, offices, in communities, in pre-hospital care, in hospitals, and in essential services for the coordination of logistics and humanitarian activity. The members of the Red Cross in the region, have at least three major tasks that we must fulfil with rigour and hard work: 1. AT A PERSONAL LEVEL: Be positive. Protect our families, close friends and neighbors by physical distancing and virtual solidarity, helping to generate positive behaviors in physical and mental care. 2. AT AN INSTITUTIONAL and MISSION LEVEL: Keep up our humanitarian work by holding up our principles, using technology and innovation, not giving up, and creating positive energy and clarity in the solutions that help contain, mitigate, and respond to the causes and effects of the COVID-19 crisis. From the perspective of promoting good health and risk prevention, support for epidemic control, emphasis on improving and optimizing safe response systems and with adequate protection and biosafety mechanisms. Creation of new local capacities, adapted to the new risks and closer to the communities in the short and medium term. 3. IN OUR AUXILIARY ROLE and WORKING with the SYSTEMS (public, private and community) of health, water and sanitation, risk management, environmental protection and humanitarian action, we must prepare for the immediate future, increase coordination and take advantage of opportunities to better serve countries and people in vulnerable conditions and those marginalized.
We must be ready to put our best efforts forward to reduce the impact of the pandemic at its peak and for the near future to increase the culture of risk control and make our participation in the processes of prevention, care and recovery of affected communities and society in general much more active. We must do this by improving our integrated information systems, good communication, adjusted planning, budgets and searches for flexible and innovative resources, and always thinking about practical and scalable solutions. In these times we have to say YES to the humanitarian cause, YES to articulated work taking advantage of the extended capacity of the entire region, YES to the collective team effort, and YES to creative solutions that go beyond the traditional schemes, but with a vision of costs, implementation capacity and real impact for those who need them most. People affected by this pandemic are counting each and every one of you, men and women, members of the Red Cross family who have done so much for those who suffer and are destined to do so much more and better. We will continue to work together and in constant contact. Take care of yourselves and your families, your communities and let’s contribute together to the health and life of our world.
Walter Cotte W. Americas Regional Director
REGIONAL RESPONSE COVID-19 On 31 December 2019, the Government of China reported a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, Hubei Province. A new coronavirus was finally identified and has been named COVID-19. On March 11, WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Most countries and territories in the world have now reported at least one confirmed case of COVID-19, and the risk of further spread between and within countries is very high. The IFRC is coordinating with all National Societies, especially those with active cases, to support them. The IFRC is also providing guidance and technical support to National Societies that are supporting quarantine, screening, pre-hospital care, home care and hospital care. National Societies support each other by providing emergency aid and sharing best practice across borders at this time of critical need. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are sharing life-saving information and humanitarian resources to help meet the immediate needs of the current COVID-19 crisis, which has already reached every corner of the world.
COVID-19 DASHBOARDS
Americas Region: COVID-19 Outbreak Red Cross Movement Mapping and Funding
Global: COVID-19 Outbreak
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER
RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN THE AMERICAS
When the world started seeing more and more cases of COVID-19 in 2020, we realized we were seeing something new. Since the early days of the outbreak, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has been coordinating with National Societies throughout the Americas, to support with monitoring, issuing advisories, pre-position personal, protective equipment for high-risk activities, scenario planning, analyzing risk, and taking other actions. As a trusted partner and voice in this outbreak, the Red Cross and Red Crescent has an important role in sharing accurate information, while dispelling rumours and misinformation and preventing stigma. Local, community-based volunteers educate the public about COVID-19, share prevention information, help prevent misinformation, and reduce rumours and panic. The Colombian Red Cross has created a new website packed with COVID-19 information. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society has created messages aimed at children to have them become a COVID-Champ and stop the spread of the virus.
7
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
Not only do Red Cross National Societies share information in multiple languages and with visual aids, but they are running informational workshops, and connecting people with basic health services. In the early days of COVID-19 in Belize, the Belize Red Cross had a handwashing campaign that demonstrated good handwashing and gave a place for people to try. Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross is working alongside the health department and volunteers are supporting contact tracing by phone of people who test positive for coronavirus. It’s important that while looking after ourselves in times of outbreak, we do our best to care for family, friends and the community by respecting local public health measures like self-isolation and quarantine. In Panama, the Red Cross has a communications campaign using megaphones to disseminate messages of prevention and mitigation of COVID-19, requesting people to stay home Across the Americas, the Red Cross is helping people at home through psychosocial support phone lines. The Chilean and Ecuadorian Red Crosses, for example, is targeting phone support to older adults who are isolated and need assistance. The Red Cross remains focused on the most vulnerable populations including the millions of people who are currently displaced or on the move. Many of these people may be at greater risk of contracting diseases like COVID-19 because of language barriers, legal status, limited access to critical medical care and poor living and working conditions. The Ecuador Red Cross is distributing food kits to people with disabilities living in poverty. In Dominica, the Red Cross is ensuring posters in many languages are hung around communities so all have access to critical information about staying safe and healthy during COVID-19. In El Salvador, the Red Cross delivers safe water to poor neighborhoods, and in Argentina they collect information on community needs. While what we have seen with COVID-19 is new, we need to remain calm and remember, we’re all in this together.
8
IN PICTURES NATIONAL SOCIETIES UNITED IN A SINGLE EFFORT Since the beginning, Red Cross National Societies in the Americas and the Caribbean have been in responding to the COVID-19 emergency. Through photographs we show some of the actions of our volunteers are taking to protect people during the outbreak.
Supporting in the distance Many people request information and psychosocial support while in quarantine. In countries such as Chile, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago, support is being provided by telephone.
Health monitoring Prior to the quarantine going into place in some countries, volunteers from different national societies supported at borders and airports by taking temperatures to help detect possible cases of COVID-19.
Helping vulnerable populations During quarantine there are migrants and people in vulnerable situations who require support. Some National Societies are delivering food and hygiene kits.
Handwashing Frequent and proper handwashing is one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. National Societies in the region have been widely promoting and teaching people about the correct way to wash their hands.
Safe water The Salvadoran Red Cross Society works in rural communities throughout the country, distributing safe water.
Public communication Dissemination through social networks and mass media has been a big part of the work carried out by Red Cross in many countries of the Americas and Caribbean. Good information is key during an emergency.
Community Awareness Teaching about the virus and promoting prevention measures in communities is a day-to-day job throughout the region.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
MISSION “REGRESO A CASA”
The Colombian National Red Cross Society was part of the mission that left Colombia on February 22 to repatriate Colombians who were in Wuhan, China. The actions were carried out in coordination with government agencies for the deployment of the five-person Emergency Medical Team (EMT). EMT teams are health professionals (medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists, paramedics, among others) who provide direct clinical care to populations affected by emergencies and disasters, support local health systems in contexts such as epidemics and complex emergencies, and respond at the national or international level. The operation was carried out with total success with 13 Colombian citizens repatriated and are now in the country.
16
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
RED CROSS IN THE AMERICAS 19
Costa Rica
Blue Shields protect cultural heritage
Authorities from the Ministry of Culture and Youth, the Costa Rican Red Cross and the National Archives held an event on March 10 where a Blue Shield was unveiled, a symbol used to protect cultural property and sites in each nation. Since June 3, 1998, Costa Rica has ratified an international treaty approved by UNESCO: the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Costa Rican Red Cross has donated the vast majority of Blue Shields. On this occasion, it is participating with the distinguished visit of the delegation of the Henry Dunant Society (a private Swiss organization, independent of the Movement, which brings together people or institutions interested in the life and work of Henry Dunant and the people and institutions that participated in the birth and development of humanitarian Geneva) to place the Blue Shield in the facilities of the national archive. “We are very proud to be here today, and to have the presence of the Henry Dunant Society, this allows us to remember the memory of the founder of the International Movement, the sense of solidarity, fraternity and the principle of humanity. Part of our humanitarian mandate is the fight against violence, and we hope to continue contributing to this culture of peace,” said Glauco Ulises Quesada, President of the Costa Rican Red Cross The National Archive of Costa Rica is part of the heritage that has been decorated with this emblem in the country, the Blue Shield will be placed on its main facade. With respect to the placement of the Blue Shield, Alexander Barquero Elizondo, general director of the institution, indicated the following: “Having been chosen to receive this shield, represents for the National Archive the opportunity to become part of a very select list of institutions and public spaces of great interest for culture and memory, which are distributed throughout the world. This implies that what is safeguarded here is heritage, memory; they are documents of very high importance for societies. This is a very relevant distinction because in the event of an international conflict, a site like this would be one of the first to be protected, in the understanding that here is reflected the memory, culture and much of what has built the identity of Costa Ricans today. Recently Blue Shields have been placed in the Children’s Museum, the Fortress of Heredia, the National Museum, the Juan Santa Maria Museum, among others.
20
Bolivia
Bolivian Red Cross provided psychosocial support and first aid to people affected by civil unrest
The months of October and November 2019, in the main cities of Bolivia, a series of civil unrest occurred after the elections held on October 20. During and after the conflicts, the Bolivian Red Cross mobilized more than 610 volunteers nationwide, who provided 1,245 cases of first aid and pre-hospital care and 900 cases of psychosocial support. These services were provided in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Oruro, PotosĂ and El Alto, in areas with large numbers of people, such as parks and fairs. The action plan called “Civil Unrestâ€? was aimed at journalists, police and military personnel, miners, public officials, and above all, residents of the communities or neighborhoods where acts of violence were reported. Additionally, through artistic spaces - such as puppets, theatre, games, mimes, among others - the volunteers raised awareness among the population about the importance of free transit of emergency vehicles and ambulances, and the normal development of the work carried out by health personnel, in times of peace and conflict. Another important axis of the operation was oriented to media workers. Each branch issued a public invitation for journalists, cameramen and communicators in general to take part in training on Basic Safety in Journalistic Coverage, due to the complexity of their daily activities. In addition, and like the rest of the beneficiaries, they were also given support in Psychosocial Care, benefiting more than 100 people.
21
Colombia
The park is ours, “I take care of it”
Colombia, Andean Region, 20 December 2019. Children and young people were receptive and participative in the development of the activities of elaboration of the mural for the improvement of the environment in sport spaces of the Montebello Neighborhood l. (Credits: Colombian Red Cross Norte de Santander Branch)
Art, painting and culture, joined the community of the municipality of Los Patios, Norte de Santander, with the support of the Colombian Red Cross, who, together with the children and young people, actively participated in days of embellishment and improvement of one of its common areas that works as a sports field and contributes to the healthy coexistence of its inhabitants. The construction of a mural in the park of the Montebello I community was the result of an action of community strengthening that seeks to promote spaces of encounter between the migrant and the host population, to reduce the stigmatization of the latter, and also to bring the institution and the population of this municipality closer together. To achieve this great result, the institution had an active involvement of sports schools, women’s associations, the Community Action Board, Red Cross staff, private companies and the public sector in the area. At the same time, the children and young people participated in an art and painting workshop with the support of the Quinta con Quinta Foundation, which developed with them the concept and design of a mural that would not only beautify the community park, but also provide positive messages to its inhabitants. Messages like “Believe in what you dream and it will come true” were thought by the same community members who were happy and grateful for this colorful wall that gave life to one of the most frequented places by families. In the same way, at the Post of Attention to the Migrant, the Colombian Red Cross elaborated a mural that is composed of different significant elements like a tree with its roots that represents the land and place where the migrants come from; a morrocoy turtle that in its shell carries diverse people with their luggage and belongings, paper airplanes where some messages written by migrants that have passed through this place are still preserved, wanting to preserve those dreams and ideals that represent them. And finally, the mural has several monarch butterflies which reflect the accompaniment and support that the institution provides from this program to the population that in the midst of adversity decides to leave their country and move to other cities and countries in search of a better quality of life.
22
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
“Since the construction of these murals there is a greater involvement of children and young people, who were receptive and participatory in the development of these activities. The articulated and inclusive work of the community is highlighted, breaking the stigma of nationalities and their rejection. It was a great exercise in approaching the community, reflecting the work done by the Monarch Butterfly Project, contributing to diminish the differences and rejection towards the community that enters in a condition of vulnerability to the country”, expressed Jhonnathan Pérez, Social Worker of the Monarch Butterfly Project. These actions are part of the Monarch Butterfly Project, which is being implemented since 2018 by the Colombian Red Cross with the support of the IFRC, and which provides free health care services, restoration of family contact, orientation and legal advice to the migrant population, as well as community integration activities with the host population.
23
Peru
Hearing the voices of children and adolescents in Peru Community cinema for social integration
“Randy has taught us that chamo is said to young people and not to all Venezuelans, that naguara is an expression of surprise, that rice with chicken in Venezuela is not green but yellow” says Maricielo, who migrated from the city of Huancayo to the city of Lima a few years ago, and who is participating in the short film “Randy’s Journey”, created, written, and directed by teenagers from El Nazareno School, in San Juan de Miraflores, located in the city of Lima. Just like Maricielo, there are approximately 50 girls, boys and young people who participated in the project Somos Comunidad, a community film project where they are the authors of their own stories, and who, using audiovisual tools and techniques can express their concerns and solutions to the problems they consider important. This project works with Peruvian and Venezuelan students to promote their integration and that of the educational community. This initiative is part of the Monarch Butterfly program, which is implemented by the Peruvian Red Cross, with the support of IFRC, UNHCR and the European Union. Work was carried out in two schools, one with primary and one with secondary students. The students learned – during the course of a week – audiovisual techniques so that they could make their own short films. The first step was the choice of themes, in the case of the primary school children they decided to work on racism, school bullying and class difference; for the secondary school students it was migration, class difference and gangs. After selecting the topics, and a technical training, they developed the videos, and then had a presentation in front of the whole school community. “That the students tell you ‘they tell us that we are the future and I’m going to show you that we are the future, because we are really the ones who can make that change,’ and that people of such a young age explain it to you, seems to me to speak of a very hopeful future,” says Carolina Martin of La Combi – rolling art, who was in charge of the audiovisual workshops.
24
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
We invite you to watch the videos and learn more about Somos Comunidad: • Video about the process of how Somos Comunidad was Videos made by children and adolescents: • El viaje de Randy • Colores • Muros • Somos ricos • Seamos mejores • A Bailar
25
Costa Rica
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
Henry Dunant Society visits Costa Rican Red Cross
The Costa Rican Red Cross is proud to receive the presence of international delegates of recognized experience. It is the Henry Dunant Society, a private Swiss organization, independent of the Movement, which brings together people or institutions interested in the life and work of Henry Dunant, and those who participated in the birth and development of humanitarian Geneva. The previous year, a delegation from the Costa Rican Red Cross in Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding with the Henry Dunant Society for the dissemination, together with the Nicaraguan Red Cross, of the Spanish-language biographies of Henry Dunant and Gustave Mounier. A historic event took place on Sunday 8 March, with the presence of Mrs Cecile Dunant, a relative of Henry Dunant, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and whose vision led to the creation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The institution carried out a series of activities in places that show how the memory of the founder of the largest humanitarian organization in the world is preserved; on the agenda was a visit to two Auxiliary Committees; in addition, work was done on a conversation with the Disseminators of the National Direction of Doctrine, Principles and Values and the presence of the Henry Dunant Society. On the other hand, a visit was made to the University of Peace, where a floral offering was placed at the Henry Dunant monument, and a Blue Shield was unveiled in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports at the National Archives. The activities did not end there, the visit of the Henry Dunant Society to the Costa Rican Red Cross brought with it an extraordinary session with the Costa Rican Commission of Humanitarian Law and the academic activity of the launching of the biographies in the facilities of the Lawyers Association.
26
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020
27
communication THE RED CROSS NEAR YOU WHATSAPP LINE ON COVID-19
In order to respond to the doubts and queries of people about COVID-19, the Red Cross WhatsApp Line was launched in Peru, where operators and health personnel are in contact with communities. This line was created in response to misinformation, questions, and rumors that were being heard in the country in regards to COVID-19. Any person who is in Peruvian territory only has to send a text or voice message to +51 953 746 543, and will automatically be in contact with the Red Cross to receive accurate and relevant information. This tool also helps to monitor what rumours or fake news are spreading in the country, and what information gaps exist, in order to generate messages to respond to them.
ďƒŚ Contact information
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Americas Regional Office Diana Medina, Regional Communication Manager | diana.medina@ifrc.org Diana Arroyo, Senior Communication Officer | diana.arroyo@ifrc.org
@ifrc_es
@ifrc_es
IFRC
IFRC
www.ifrc.org/americas
