“The personnel handling the camp, including myself, were impressed. People were involved in the camp’s daily life, had good ideas on both preparedness and response measures, and they were very enthusiastic,” says Isabelle Choutet, DRR Project Manager for Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) and French Red Cross (FRC) North Tanna Recovery project after cyclone PAM, implemented in partnership with the NDMO.
Volunteers were trained in awareness sessions on hazards, community response planning, evacuation planning, and many others, in addition to the knowledge they gained the prior year. This boot camp was designed as a Training of Trainers for Community Disaster and Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) chairmen and awareness focal points to be able to develop their Community Response Plan (CRP) with the support of the DRR Red Cross team. The aim was to empower them and to strengthen their position as leaders in the frame of CRP development process.
The choice of organizing a camp and not a formal workshop or training was motivated by the intention of creating strong links between CDCCC members in North Tanna. Participants practiced their communication, coordination and leadership skills, which are crucial in times of disaster. Indeed, each participant had a role in the “micro-society” that constituted the camp: to be responsible for the wood, the fire, water, to set up shelters, etc. Participants had to listen to each other and to work together.
Before the camp, a meeting took place in NDMO provincial office with training participants and the Provincial Disaster Officer (PDO). It was the first time CDCCC members entered NDMO provincial office for a meeting since its opening. It was an opportunity to meet with the PDO and to conduct a short refresher session on NDMO structures, disaster actors in Vanuatu and their roles and responsibilities.
As the camp drew to a close, participants were presented with the upcoming activities to take place under the shelter component of the project: awareness sessions on build back better/build back safer construction techniques and construction of nima’entens (local traditional refuge in case of cyclone). They also agreed on a 3-month plan for DRR activities to be conducted with communities in North Tanna.
VACANCY NOTICE: WASH SUPPORT OFFICER
Job Location: VRCS/FRC office in Isangel, Tanna and North Tanna communities
Applicants are required to demonstrate the following:
· Demonstrated experience in community mobilization
· Demonstrated experience and competencies in water network infrastructure construction (source catchment…..) and plumbing;
· Demonstrated experience and competencies in at least two (2) of the following sectors
o Construction with industrial materials (concrete, cement blocks);
o Management of construction team, supervision of simultaneous multiple construction site;
o Construction activities scheduling, reporting
· University graduate in water, sanitation and hygiene or construction sectors will be an asset
· Knowledge of the North Tanna geography and access to the communities
· Ability and flexibility to travel regularly, particularly in the North of Tanna Island
· Ability and flexibility to live up to 5 days a week in the communities
· Understanding of disaster risk reduction strategy
· Base in the communities of North Tanna with Travel to Lenakel
· To support the project management
· Driving licence required
· Good computer skills (Word, Excel)
· Good communication, drafting and presentation skills
· Team management, training and facilitation skills
· Interest in sharing professional skills as well as learning from others
· Open-minded, dynamic and flexible
· Bislama + English and/or French speaker required
· Knowledge of Red Cross movement will be an asset
Interested candidates are invited to pick up a more detailed job description of this position at Vanuatu Red Cross Office located at Vanuatu Red Cross Headquarters in Port-Vila or at Isangel in Tanna,
or send request by mail to: recruitment@redcrossvanuatu.com by indicating in the email subject : “WASH Support Officer”
or contact Benjamin Paget (Head of sub-delegates) on Mob: 7318268 / 5505304 or Priscilla Stevens (Human Resources support officer) on Tel: 26761 for more information.
Interested candidates may submit their applications, with letter of interest and CV, no later than 9th June 2017 to HR department:
The key accomplishments of the Dengue Operation in Emae island and Malekula island by Vanuatu Red Cross Society in response to the Dengue Outbreak.
2017 ANNUAL GALA NIGHT SPONSORSHIP REQUEST
It's gala night again! The annual Vanuatu Red Cross disaster fundraising.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society would like to announce that it will hold its annual gala on Saturday 17th June 2017 at the Azure Restaurant on Iririki Island Resort.
The theme for this year's Gala Night is "GREAT GATSBY" (roaring 20's) and we can't wait to see what wonderful outfits will walk trough the door this year.
The VRCS is hereby requesting your assistance, as a sponsor for the event, in any of the following ways:
- purchase of 10 tickets (to make a full table). The price per ticket is 6,500vt
- donation of prize for raffle
- cash donation
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your consideration and we trust you will assist us in the making of a successful annual Gala Night.
This year Gala Night is especially to fundraise and raise money to help the people from TORBA province who have been affected by TC DONNA.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone 27418 or email redcross@vanuatu.com.vu
should you require any further information on the event.
Yours in Humanity,
Jacqueline de Gaillande
Chief Executive officer
Vanuatu red Cross Society
VANUATU'S FIRST DISASTER RISK REDUCTION CAMP
From the 3rd to the 6th of April, Vanuatu’s first disaster risk reduction (DRR) camp organized by the Red Cross and National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) took place in North Tanna. Over the course of three days, 31 participants (4 women, 27 men) took part in training, debates, and movie nights around DRR.
«Traditional or modern early warning systems»
Photo: French Red Cross
“The personnel handling the camp, including myself, were impressed. People were involved in the camp’s daily life, had good ideas on both preparedness and response measures, and they were very enthusiastic,” says Isabelle Choutet, DRR Project Manager for Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) and French Red Cross (FRC) North Tanna Recovery project after cyclone PAM, implemented in partnership with the NDMO.
Volunteers were trained in awareness sessions on hazards, community response planning, evacuation planning, and many others, in addition to the knowledge they gained the prior year. This boot camp was designed as a Training of Trainers for Community Disaster and Climate Change Committee (CDCCC) chairmen and awareness focal points to be able to develop their Community Response Plan (CRP) with the support of the DRR Red Cross team. The aim was to empower them and to strengthen their position as leaders in the frame of CRP development process.
The choice of organizing a camp and not a formal workshop or training was motivated by the intention of creating strong links between CDCCC members in North Tanna. Participants practiced their communication, coordination and leadership skills, which are crucial in times of disaster. Indeed, each participant had a role in the “micro-society” that constituted the camp: to be responsible for the wood, the fire, water, to set up shelters, etc. Participants had to listen to each other and to work together.
Before the camp, a meeting took place in NDMO provincial office with training participants and the Provincial Disaster Officer (PDO). It was the first time CDCCC members entered NDMO provincial office for a meeting since its opening. It was an opportunity to meet with the PDO and to conduct a short refresher session on NDMO structures, disaster actors in Vanuatu and their roles and responsibilities.
Dissemination of DRR key messages in Lenakel
Photo: French Red Cross
As the camp drew to a close, participants were presented with the upcoming activities to take place under the shelter component of the project: awareness sessions on build back better/build back safer construction techniques and construction of nima’entens (local traditional refuge in case of cyclone). They also agreed on a 3-month plan for DRR activities to be conducted with communities in North Tanna.
CDCCC Chairman – Hebron
Mi lanem hao nao bae mi kivim stret infomesen long komuniti. Mekem sua se evri haoshol i mas bildim wan sef haos mo oli mas andastanem evri trifala alet we bae redio i save kivimaot long taem long wan saeklon. Nara advaes bae mi kivim long olgeta: komuniti i mas wok tugeta wetem tim blong CDC blong avoidem disasta blong eria blong Hebron CDC.*
*I learned how to pass on information to my community. We have to make sure every household builds a safe house and that everyone understands the three cyclone alerts disseminated through the radio when a cyclone approaches. Another piece of advice I wish to give community members: the community must work together with CDCCC to avoid a disaster in Hebron area.