World Red Cross Day. 150 years. The work of the Sri Lanka Red Cross

World Red Cross Day 2013

150 years ago, an ambitious idea became reality with the establishment of the ICRC and Relief Societies, known today as National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Sri Lanka Red Cross volunteers celebrate 150 years of Red Cross

Shortly afterwards, the first international treaty of modern humanitarian law was adopted.

To mark these cornerstones, we are highlighting the richness of our past and engaging in a global conversation about today’s humanitarian challenges and how to make a real difference for people affected by ongoing and emerging humanitarian crises.

In Sri Lanka we are marking the event by organizing a mini marathon and a fun run in the City of Matara on May 8, 2013 to highlight the work done by the Sri Lanka Red Cross , Under the guidance of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Chairman Jagath Abeyasighe, in the years past. The event is organized in collaboration with the ICRC in Sri Lanka and the IFRC Sri Lanka Delegation.

A SLRCS  livelihood project in a village near Trincomalee includes micro-credit and many livelihood projects such as fish-drying projects, which has strengthen the community immeasurably.

Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has an extensive network of volunteers and a branch in each of the 25 districts of the country. It has experience in community-based health activities including first, health promotion, blood donor recruitment and HIV/AIDS.

The role of Red Cross Red Crescent is to support and contribute to strengthen the linkage between communities and health services by facilitating contact when and if needed, provide essential health messages in remote and rural areas, conduct health prevention and promotion activities and to empower people to make informed decisions about their own health. It is to promote healthy life styles and encourage healthy practices and behavior the following diagram shows the relationship between Red Cross Red Crescent and Ministry of Health (including district health services), and the roles of each

SLRCS has been providing health services to the targeted communities through supply of water and sanitation facilities, promoting hygiene, improving psychosocial wellbeing and generating awareness on primary health care issues such as immunization, nutrition, family planning, communicable diseases and also special emphasis to the development of First Aid skills, blood donation camps/drives and HIV/AIDS Programmes.

Many partner national societies like the Japanese Red Cross have supported many community resilience projects. Photo: Bob McKerrow

SLRCS is working very closely with the vulnerable communities in establishing healthy living habits with special reference in bringing down the disease burden of non-communicable diseases. Emergency First Aid programme and provision of mobile health facilities in conflict affected areas and health in emergency programme is also initiated.

CBH is one of the key successful projects for SLRCS in the past covering 17 Districts. The other strong health Programme is the first aid Programme having an island wide coverage both in community first aid as well as general first aid.

HIV prevention project started in two districts covering mainly the neglected estate communities now after achieving its expected results it has expanding in to more districts and wider target groups. One of the key areas for the SLRCS is to strengthen its relationship with PLHIV networks.

First Aid activities are run by the SLRCS since its inception. Emergency First Aid (EFA) services were also initiated to provide prompt and effective First Aid services in conflict-affected districts. SLRCS is now in the process of establishing First aid teams to provide first aid services, rescue and evacuation support in times of emergency, internal violence, natural disasters and other emergencies. SLRCS have now its training curricula in general first aid trainings. SLRCS is in the process of adopting CBHFA new approach to all our community health projects in order to make this approach a success.

Standardized SLRCS is now rapidly scaling up its commercial first aid sector having a more dedicated team both at central and branch level, are also in the process of developing new materials to support this new initiatives.

SLRCS has now build up capacity in addressing psychosocial issues after completing a three year Programme in six Tsunami affected districts, and now planning to utilize the present capacity in conflict affected areas.

In future through its CBHFA programmes and IPA, SLRCS is looking forward to address the emerging health issues such as issues due to global warming, change of demographic pattern, and migration.

The objective of the disaster management programme of SLRCS is to improve community resilience to cope with and manage disasters while continuing to maintain organizational readiness to respond to natural and man made disasters. Overall DM programme focuses on two thematic areas i.e. institutional preparedness for disaster management and Community preparedness for disaster risk reduction. There are 5 types (components) of programmes are implemented under these 2 thematic areas namely institutional preparedness for response, community Based Disaster Risk Management, Early Warning systems, recovery, livelihood and development and development of skilled human resources and SLRCS has established training infrastructure.

The Red Cross Post Conflict Recovery Programme (RC – PCRP) in Sri Lanka has been implemented successfully with the SLRCS since April 2010, having a partnership with IFRC and other Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners.

The programme contributes to the sustainable rehabilitation and reconstruction in the North of Sri Lanka, an area of the country, which remains in great need of development assistance. It primarily supports people who have been displaced due to the conflict and are now resettling.

The programme is an integrated IFRC intervention with overall coordination by IFRC, with the support of bilateral and multilateral partners. The aim is to build 20,000 houses for the people who are returning to the conflict zones.

From 13 July 2012 onwards, the RC PCRP entered a new partnership with the Government of India receiving funding for the repair of 2,800 and construction 14,000 new houses. Through this additional assistance 19,776 families will be provided shelter assistance based on the owner-driven approach utilising direct-beneficiary cash transfer mechanisms helping to empower beneficiaries and improve a sense of community ownership.

Since the inception of the programme, the Kilinochchi and Mulathivu branches of the SLRCS have been re-established, electing their governance and deploying key staff. The evolving RC PCRP has been able to attract youth and professionals of the area helping to re-establish a strong Red Cross volunteer network.

The adverse weather affected many districts in Sri Lanka from November 2010 to February 2011 resulting in mega scale catastrophe. Heavy torrential rain poured down causing floods and landslides shockingly almost all over the country. Initially, the damage was beyond to be assessed as it caused vast environmental and human devastation. The normalcy of the lives was overturned.

In response to this disaster, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is currently supporting over 60, 000 people with following assistance mainly in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Kegalle districts.

Distribution of 164 two-wheeled tractors (Sifang GN 12) and 1370 tool kits, as a livelihood support assisting 8200 families, through farmer organizations. Valued at LKR 60 million.

92 tractors have already been distributed. Arrangements to distribute another 72 tractors are in process. Shelter grant to 1,285 families (Rs.50, 000/=per family) to repair/rebuild houses. Valued at LKR 70 million

1285 families in all eight districts have received their shelter grants. Livelihood grant (Rs. 30,000 per family) to 2,800 families. In view of uplifting their living conditions, training in tools, equipment and services. Valued at LKR 84 million.

Livelihood grants were disbursed among 2799 families.

Restoring Family links is a core activity of SLRCS, designates by the SLRCS Constitution on Chapter 2 article 6. General objectives and tusks, notes SLRCS to Organize and explore a tracing service in peace time, in time of natural disaster and in case of conflict.

There are needs in our communities for this service.

Auxillary to the Government, the Sri Lanka Red Cross has to work in a coordinated manner with the Government and diplomatic missions. Here is Tissa Abeywickrama DG of SLRCS with badge on left with Indian High Commissioner Ashok Kantha on his right and Minister for Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa centre,  at the launch of the Indian Housing project. The Indian Government is funding 43,000 owner-driven houses and Red Cross in an implementing partner for 16,800 houses.

One of the first houses completed under the Indian housing project in the North of sri Lanka. Photo: Bob McKerrow

The Geneva Conventions provide the legal basis for tracing and Red Cross Message services offered by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

SLRCS is recognized by the Government of Sri Lanka as having a special role in Tracing and Family Reunion during times of disaster, specifically mentioned in the National Disaster Management Road map under Preparedness and Response Plans of the Emergency Response Networks.

The RFL Services are provided to conflict affected groups, to migrants workers and their family members, to people affected by natural disasters and particularly vulnerable people (children, the elderly and social cases). The SLRCS branches are joining their effort with the national headquarter to carry out activities of restoring family contact to these separated families.

SLRCS Tracing Service is member of the International Red Cross & Red Crescent tracing network and aims to restore family links for vulnerable families who have been separated due to migration, Disaster & conflict.

The tsunami that struck on the 26th December 2004 caused the worst disaster ever in Sri Lanka. The SLRCS and its volunteers, all over the affected districts, were among the first to provide immediate support and relief to victims. Due to the unprecedented magnitude of the catastrophe and the subsequent need to rebuild lives of tens of thousands of people, the SLRCS made a courage commitment to face the challenge. With the support of various RC/RC Movement partners, it rapidly scaled up its capacity to not only give back a home to the victims, but also rebuild their livelihoods in a sustainable manner.

During the project, the Sri Lanka Red Cross managed to rebuild 33,000 houses, 69 hospitals, 20 water and sanitation projects and 12 schools.

Article from Daily News May 8 2013. Photos added by Bob McKerrow IFRC.

A day in the life of Red Cross housing project staff.

Yesterday was the final day of a five day monitoring trip I did to the north of Sri Lanka to measure progress on the role IFRC/SLRCS is playing as implementing with the Indian housing project. (IHP) and to identify ways we can accelerate the recovery operation. I have recorded a typical day on a trip like this.

On Thursday 26 October we visited the Project Office located at the G N Office, at Thananthaiselvapuram, Tellippai DS in Jaffna district where we met the IFRC Project Engineer and the Technical Officers and had a discussion with them.

I visited more than 20 sites in the village nearby where the 1^st installment payment had been  sent to beneficiary bank accounts some days earlier by the Indian High Commission in Colombo and had discussion with the beneficiaries. 

I was accompanied Ms. Dushiyanthi David, Mr. Wahala  Bandara, DPO SLRCS  and K. Thiruthanigasalam, (Thiru)  Monitoring Officer, IFRC. Dushy is head of support services for IFRC is Colombo and I wanted her to become more familiar with the methodology as she has a liaison function with the IHP payment office in Colombo.

At the offce Thiru (centre) and I met Mrs. Shanmugam Pakkiyaledcumy (left),  a  very poor widow,  living alone at Market road. She had not met the beneficiary criteria but was hoping she would qualify in the second round. We took her name and explained what options are open to her.

Next we drove to the village close by at Thananthaiselvapuram and the first beneficiary we visited was Mr. Balasubramanium Mahendran, a person suffering from arthritis and struggling to walk. He had completed the foundation laying ceremony and the workers were very busy on excavation work for the construction of foundations. After the discussion Mr. Balasubramanium (right in the photo) told us that he will complete the construction works within 4 to 5 months. The necessary building materials for the foundation work has been transported to the site.

With the wind rustling the leaves on a Mahogany tree, we walked down a lane to the next housing site, visiting Mr. Nagendran Lagunathan's  place. Like many other beneficiaries, the heavy rocks had been dropped 40 metres or so from the house due to muddy roads, so we helped the family to transport some of the rocks from the heap to the site  Every little bit helps in these situations. Excavation for foundation has commenced in this site. Below Thiru and I talk to the family.

Here Thiru explains the finer points of the IHP to Mr and Mrs.Nagendran Lagunathan.

Closeby we met another  beneficiary  Mr. Kanagasabai Murugaiyah, a 76 year old man in poor health living with his wife alone and had a discussion with him about his situation and the construction works of his house. After the discussion he said they felt they could finish it is 5 - 6 months.. 

We called on Mr. Balasuntharam Sivakumar site  and found workers, including the the owner, very busy removing the stump of a big tree from the site enable construction work to start. The beneficiary has told us that due to the heavy rain experienced in the area, he could not start the foundation work. We visited many other sites and were heartened to see such industrious and committed people.

Also visited to Mr.and Mrs. Ponnuthurai Sriskandarajahs (photo above) place and had a chat with them about the problems they face and advised on  the construction of his house. He was reasonably confident he would finish the houses in 5 months.

As we were walking back to the road we met two elderly  women who were returning from putting their case across to grievance committee meeting. We stopped and talked about the situation and why they had not been  selected them for the housing project. As with all people we met on our two hour walk through this village, whether they had been selected or not, there was a quiet dignity and acceptance in their manner. 

What is depressing is the remnants of houses, places of worship and factories destroyed in the 30 year long conflict. Such wanton destruction casts a pall over reconstruction efforts.

During this visit I called Anurag Srivastava at the Indian High Commission to give him feedback on progress and discussed a few issues that I needed advice on. As  Vasanta Kumar Government Agent in Jaffna told us later in the day, we have to work continuously to improce coordination and cooperation.

Some of the pathways between houses are pleasant under the mid-day sun and you see many trees providing shade, fruits and timber. In a year these villages will be back to normal.

As we passed through Jaffna about 1.30 pm, we couldn't resist a stop at Rio icecream parlour and here Thiru (l) and Wahala enjoy a well deserved ice cream.

At 2.30pm we participated in an IHP meeting chaired by the Government Agent with all Jaffna DS in attendance, the UN Habitat, IFRC and SLRCS to discuss progress and methodology.

On the way back to Vavuniya we stopped at the A9 junction with Thenmarachchi to pick up new files from one of our Red Cross Engineers. I say each file is like a "Ratnapura Sapphire' as it brings a jewel to every selected family, that gift called 'a house.' At the junction is a sign giving detail of the Indian housing project. Below.

                                                              A close up of our sign boards.

Launch of next phase of the Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka

The High Commission of India signed agreements today to award work to four Implementing Agencies (IAs), viz., UN-HABITAT, International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in partnership with Sri Lanka Red Cross, National Housing Development Agency (NHDA) of the Government of Sri Lanka and Habitat for Humanity, Sri Lanka signaling the launch of the next phase of the Indian Housing Project for 43,000 housing units in Northern and Eastern Provinces. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development and H.E. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India.

Anurag Srivastava (r) and Bob McKerrow IFRC (l) signing the Indian Housing Project agreement with Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development and H.E. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India and Shri P. Kumaran Deputy High Commissioner, witnessing the signing.(photo courtesy Min. of Economic Development)

 The four IAs have been selected on the basis of their experience and expertise in implementing similar projects in Sri Lanka, through a competitive process following the Expression of Interest route. The signing of these agreements paves the way to commence immediate implementation of this Project on the ground.

      In this phase, which will be implemented under the owner-driven model, beneficiaries will be selected through a transparent and norm-based process on the basis of clearly defined and objective criteria. These beneficiaries will undertake the construction/repair of their houses with necessary technical assistance and support provided by the IAs. Funds will be released directly by the High Commission of India into bank accounts of beneficiaries based on certification of progress of work. An owner-driven approach has been followed on the basis of preferences of the Government of Sri Lanka, people on the ground as well as project objectives of contributing to livelihood activities.

      This phase is expected to meet bulk of the housing needs in these areas. In the last phase of the project, which is also expected to commence soon, about 6,000 houses will be directly built by construction agencies for people from most vulnerable sections of IDPs in the Northern and Eastern provinces and for estate sector in the Central and Uva Provinces.

This has been a team effort with everyone with experience and expertise contributing to the best methodology for building 43,000 quality owner-driven houses with the generous funding from the Indian Government. Anurag Srivastava from the Indian High Commission centre, Keti Khurtsia (r) from IFRC, and David Evans (l) UN Habitat at the signing ceremony tonight.

        The construction of 43,000 houses for resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs in Northern and Eastern Provinces is part of the overall commitment to build 50,000 houses announced by Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh during the State visit of the President of Sri Lanka to India H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa in June 2010. This commitment also formed part of the Joint Declaration issued in New Delhi during the visit.

       In order to ensure early operationalisation of this commitment, a pilot phase for the construction of 1,000 houses in the five districts of Northern Province was launched in November 2010. 950 houses have already been completed under the pilot phase, most of which have been handed over to beneficiaries. The remaining houses will be completed by the end of this month.

This is the type of owner driven house that will be built under the Indian Housing project (IHP). 43,000 will be built in total under IHP. This house is one of 3000 constructed by the Sri Lanka Red Cross under its current programme, who will be the IFRC partner in the IHP. Photo: Bob McKerrow

      
The Indian Housing Project is being carried out in close consultation with and cooperation of the Government of Sri Lanka. A Memorandum of Understanding was earlier signed on 18 January 2012 between the two governments covering various aspects of project implementation. The entire Project is under full grant assistance of the Government of India with a total outlay of SLR 30.6 billion (approx. US $ 270 million).