| Being disaster prepared is readiness to
predict and, where possible, to prevent disasters and to respond effectively
and efficiently to them. These, including reducing disaster impact at local,
national, regional and international level, is the central work of every
Red Cross National Society in the world.
Our services are embraced by the organisation’s mission statement which
represents its commitment to delivering quality service to the most vulnerable
population.
Disaster is one of the Fiji Red Cross’ core programmes. As a member of
the National Disaster Management Council and auxiliary to the Government
of Fiji, the Fiji Red Cross has a clearly defined role on the immediate
provision of key basic items including temporary shelter, clothing, water
and water containers, excluding food. To be able to deliver this important
service, the Fiji Red Cross Society, as an Operating National Society, has not the funds or the resources to administer assistance
single-handedly. Therefore the support we receive in terms of capacity building
in pre-disaster times contributes immensely to our approach in delivering
immediate relief during and after a disaster.
The main strength of the organisation, being a Red Cross Society and
an organisation that is recognised as an auxiliary arm to Government, lies
in the commitment and dedication of its own volunteers.
A network of 15 Branches and 2
Divisional Service Centres (DSC
Northern,
DSC Western) supports the organisation’s initiative of being
able to preposition readily available disaster relief supplies in the major
centres and towns throughout Fiji Islands. All these are possible because
of the confidence of the Fiji communities and donor partners and the support
and collaboration of the Government of Fiji.
During the last two years Fiji Red Cross completed a numbers of major
projects directed towards addressing issues identified from recent
disaster relief operations:
- restocking of disaster containers
- training
and sensitisation of key Branch personnel
- expansion of fleet of vehicles and pool of pre-positioned disaster
preparedness containers
- numerous consultations held with stakeholders in disaster
management
- complete upgrade of high frequency (HF) radio network installed in all its vehicles and selected
bases in Lautoka, Labasa and at National Office
- development of standard forms for disaster assessment and relief
distribution
Although highly renowned for our Preparedness and
Response the Society’s
strategic direction over the next 5 years will be focusing more in the area
of community disaster risk reduction.
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