Annualrerunt200$-2010

oo c a o oc a e.f -J< tl 2.ts /2., -a MaldivianRed Crescent

AnnualRerunt200$-2010

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{r -.- MaldivianRed Crescent Formation

Followingthe December2004 AsianTsunami, the International Federationof Red Crossand Red CrescentSocieties (Federation) anda numberof PartnerNational Societies (PNS) became engaged in relief and recoveryprogrammes in Maldives.These covered a varietyof secto15,including construction (private housing and public buildings),water and sanitation,waste management, livelihoods, psychologicalsuppot anddisaster management. At the sametime, this extensiveintervention served as an introductionofthe RedCross RedCrescent movement to the Maldiviancommunitv. l\4aldivianRed Crescent (MRC) was formed on 16August 2009 during its first GeneralAssembly. The processof establishinga National Societyin Maldivesbegan in 2005,initiated by a groupof volunteers of the Maldiviancommunity who recognizedthe needfor a Red CrossRed Crescent national society that will provide humanitarian servicesto vulnerablesegments of the Maldivianpopulation. Since 2007,the processhas been lead by the lnterimPlanning Group {lPG)

with the supportof FederationsMaldives Delegation. The process involvedtwo mainelements: a) legalrecognition throogh national legislation{an MRC Act) and b) subsequentinstitutional formation throughthe completion of MRC'sl st GeneralAssembly and a process to develop lvlRc(its structures,policies, programmes, human and financialresources) into a relevant,well-functioning Red Crescent organization,with presenceand activities all over the countty, eventuallyleading to internationalrecognition by the ICRCand membershipin the IFRC.

HavingMRC legally recognized proved to be length, primarilydue to the transformationof the Maldivianpolitical system. However, on 28 April2009 the MaldivianRed Crescent Act was passed by the Maldivesparliament and was ratified by the Presidenton 7 N4ay 2009.Since its formation, MRChas been involved in an intensive developmentprocess ofestablishing systems and structures thatwill enabledelivery of servicesto the communities

On 28April 2009 the MoldivionRed Crescent Aci wos possed Arif Rasheed,Gorening Board Male' Member castit'g his vote during the electionof the GoverningBoard during the SecondGeneralAssembly, by the Moldivesporlioment ond wos Photo credits:Adam Faisol,IFRC Maldives rotifledby the Presidenton 7 Moy 2009. MaldivianRed Crescent Development

Asa new nationalsociet, the InterimPlanning Group (lPG) with the suppoftof IFRCand PNSworked on a InterimDevelopment Plan to developMRC into a fullyfunctjonal society and attain international recognition by the ICRCand membership in the IFRC.Consequently, the firstGeneralAssembly ofMaldivian Red Crescent approved the Interim Development Plan 2009-201O.The ultimate goalofthe plan is:to ensure that by the time it holdsits third 6eneral Assembly in 2011, Maldlvian Red Crescent will havefulfilled the 10conditions for recognitionby the InternationalCommittee ofthe RedCross (ICRC) and simultaneougly become a fully-fledgedmember ofthe lnternationalFederation. The Planwas divided into five major development components Governance Management Development, Organisational Capability Deve'opmenr, ProgrammeDevelopment, Branch Development and External Affairs Development as indicated in the diagrambelow. 1.Governance Management Development

MajorAchievements: Establishmentof NationalGoverning Board

An elevenmember Governinq Boafd (GB) was elected during the first6eneral Assembly on 16 August2009. This included a president,2 VicePresidents,l Treasurer,2 members representing North ofMaldives,2 members representing south of Maldives,lmember representing Malel1 governmentrepresentative and a youth member.Throughoutthe periodthe GoverningBoard formed two sub committees;a policy 5ub-committeeand EranchDevelopment Sub-committee to work effectively.Both sub committeeswere mandatedto give adviceto the GoverningBoard and to the Managementbeforethe boardadopts the documents.

TheGovehing Board held 8 meetinqsduring this period. The table below gives detail of members'attendanceto these meetings.

16.0',t.2010

Recruitmentof SecretaryGeneral Therecruitment ofSecretary General (5G)was initiated by the Interim PlanningGroup before General Assembly.The GB continued with the processafter its election,and out of ll applicantsthe GBselected Ms.Rasheeda Ali asthe 5GofMRC. she took officeon 22 September 2009.

Approval of major Policies,Procedures and Guidelines TheGB adopted main policiesand proceduresrequired for the initial functioningof the societythroughout the period.The staffand managementsuppofted in drafting the requiredpolicy documents and the processwas supported by the GB policy sub-committee that advisedon thesebefore presentation to the Eoard.Thepolicaes adoptedduring this period include,

HumanResource policy

Financepolicy

Volunteerpolicy

CodeofConduct

EthicalGuidelines for Corporate Membership and Partnership with Public,Private Sector and for ReceivingDonations

Community-basedHealth and FirstAid framework

Guidelineon Establishmentof Branches Regularmeetings of statutorybodies In additionto GB,other MRC governance bodies were also active during this period. Several meetings were held by NationalAdvisory Council(NAC), Complains Committee (CC) and Finance Commission inthis period to facilitatetheir role5 and responsibilities asper MRC Statutes.

MembershipRecruitment MRChasbeen active in membershiprecruitmentand increasing the presenceofmembers in differentparts ofMaldives.Through these effortsMRC has currently 524 paying members by I2 April2010.The disaggregation of paying members is asfollows,

Nolhivaramu 29 HaaDhaal Kulhudhuffushi 30 Buruni Thaa Veymandoo 58

Hulhumeedhoo 33 Seenu Hithadhoo 46

Henveiru 144 fi,1ale' Villingili 39

Fulidhoo 22

Felidhoo 8

Noonu Holhudhoo 21

Foahmulah-North 22 Gnyaviyani Foahmulah-5outh 22

Headquaters Whereunits do not exist 17

MRCalsoscaled upefforts in bringingin corporatemembersfrom allparts ofMaldives.To date MRCGB hasapproved StateTradrng Organisation,Lintel Investments and ManagementServices Pvt. Ltd and CyrixCollege as corporate members.

MRChos currently 524 poying members os of I 2 April201 0 W tF Lrr! ji2 1E-.1

Unit Assembu,Hdh Kulhudhufushi. Photo crcdits: Amindth LftM AIi, MRC

Capacity-buildingand developmentof Governanceand Management Duringthis periodthe governancemembers (Governing Board donorsand sharedinformation on MRCdeve opment plan, which members, National Advisory Council members)and senior waslater followed-up by MRCmanagement. The trip alsoincluded managementunde(ook several capacity building and development an exposurevisit to KenyaRed Cross. Since, Red Cross Red Crescenl endeavours, Movementis new to the Maldiviansoclety the visitresulted in the membersgaining knowledge on thefunctloning of a sistersociety in In December2009, a LeadershipWorkshop was organisedfor orderto deljverservices to the vulnerablepeople. GoverningEoard and NationalAdvisory Council members. lt was aimedto improveshared understanding of MRCand challenges l\,4RCsecretary Genera aso attendedthe South AsiaSecretary faced in relationto the strategicprocess of developingl\,'laldivian General'sforum held in Nepalin February2010. This forum enabled RedCrescent into a well'functioningNational Society and to obtain [4RCto establishconnections and co-operations with other National betterclaritv on roles.resoonsibilities and work modalities between Societiesin the region. the GoverningBoard, Eranch 8oard, National Advisory CoLrncil and SecretaryGeneral and Management. l\4RCPresident also participated in LeadershipTraining in Geneva, Switzerlandin November2009 organised by International Federation of RedCross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation). The President hadseparate meetings with seniorofficials ofthe Federationas well aswith other participants after the training course.

Inaddition to the Presidentand the SecretaryGeneral, four members from the GoverningBoard also attended the Federation'sGeneral Assemblyin Nairobi,Kenya and participatedin the side events and workshops.During this vlsit the MRCdelegation had bilateral meetrngswrth ofh(rals 'rom vdlrousNattoral 5o. teltes ar d polenudl \Yl'.,1. r / Emblem Protection Campaign Theemblem of MaldivianRed Crescent is protectedby "MaldivianRed Crescent Act'l assigning fu I authority!o MRCto enforceit. During the reportingperiod MRC management and governance initiated an emblemprotection campalgn, to makethe publicaware and ro take correctiveaction to protecttheemblern.The cofiect usage of emblemwas publicly announced through national television and radio channels andnewspapers. This announcement wa5 further backed by Ministryof Healthand Family requesting a I pharmacies,hospitals and health serviceproviders to stopus ng the redcrescent. This Joint effort has resulted rn creating awareness, especially n Male'andsome pharmac es havechanged their signs to greencrescents. Additional work is beingundertaken to completelyprevent the misuseof the RedCrescent emblem.

SecondGeneral Assembly 2010 Pursuantto the decisionof the GoverningBoard to holdMRC's 2nd GeneraAssembly on 24thApril 2010, the managementinitiated all relevantpreparatory work ln February2010. A sub committeeof the GoverningBoard was formed to workwith the l\,4anagementon mattersrelated to theGeneral Assembly.

Revisionof Statuesand Rulesof Procedures Foreffective implementation of N4RCStatutes, there a needto make someamendments to the Rulesof Procedurethat was adopted at the first6eneral Assembly was re.ognised. The proposed amendments, whichdo not contravenethe Statutesof MRC,have been approved by the GoverningBoard and are to be subnittedto the second GeneralAssembly for adopiion.

DraftPlan and Budget 2010-2011 MRCplan and budgetfor 2010-2011 was adopted by Governing Board,after attaining approval by the FinanceCommission. The planwas completed by undertakinga partlcipatoryexercise within Mal. Branch M.nbers cl|stingtheir wtts duritls the Stcot.d Cellerol the nationaLsociety while dellvering services to the Photrr cr*lits: Moha,mrcd Diltrdl .si,rd,(, l$RCto develop Asse'11bry. lazeel, \ communities. - \-N\ \r \\ 2.Organisational Capabi lity Development

MajorAchievements: Acquiring proficient and expert Human lmprovementsof InformationTechnology (lTL Resources Financeand Administrationsystems With the recruitmentof MRCSecretary General on 22 September Duringthis periodsystems have been set up to supporteffcient 2009,MRC has proceeded in recruitingstaff for requiredpositions financemanagemeni, administration and iT facilities in MRC. to facilitategood management and efficient service delivery.To date MRChas 16 contracted staff and 08 secondedstafffrom Federation. MRCFinance system has been put in placeduring the period,with the set up of MRCchaft of accountsand quickbook installation. lvlRcfinance staff has also been tralned to usethe systemas well. In lmplementationof Policiesand Procedures addition,MRC Finance tvlanualwasfinalised andis being implemented since1 January2010- In lT'all necessary software and hardware have Afteradoption of MRCCode of Conductand Human Resource Policy beeninstalled to ensurethat the lT serviceswithin MRC are up to by the GoverningBoard, MRC staned implementing its StaffRules dateand provide support required for efficientoperations. Similarly, andRegulations in November2009. This has enabled the staffto be MRChas scaled up ltsadministrat on systemwith specific procedures contractedon standardizedcontracts and to be guidedaccordingly. forcorrespondence and information management.

Developmentof OrientationPackages MRC recognisedthe need of having standardizedorientation packagesfor staff,members and volunteersaftef recfuitment.The designand compilationof the processwas initiatedwithin this periodand isongoing.

Stulf of MRC token on the 2nd Gened Assembb),24th Aptil (front low iight to let: Fathmath Shamweelo,Mariyam Fdhnf, Shaziya Ali, Fazln Rasheed,Aishath Khalid, Aminath Shaftneela,Rasheeda AIi, Muntshidha Abdh Mannaz, Maritam Asifa, AzliJa Abdhlll Azeez' Mariyan Ibnhim Fudd, AbLlhrlla Mahzoon, lbnhin Huzan, Shahidha,Aminath Na.tha, Shahiya Ali Manik. Back Ro,*,,right to lefl: Ishaq Ashrat', ^\ n Ahmed As$,a11,tsmail llbaill, Ahmed Shauban, Ibrahim Fawoz.) Photo oedits: Mohommed lazeel, Digital Srudio ,' FXI-N 3.ProgrammeDevelopment

MajorAchievements: CommunityBased Health and FirstAid (CBHFA) With the adoptionof CommunitvBased Health and FirstAid (CBHFA)framework by Maldivian Red Crescent6overning Board on 5th December2009, the developmentand preparationsfor the programmewas scaledup. Consequentlta nationallevel CBHFA sensitizationmeeting was held in January2010 with the aim of bringingtogether key stakeholders,sensitising them, obtaining theirfeedback on CBHFAframework and establishing a coordination mechanismbetween MRC and the stakeholders.

With the successof this meeting, in Februar, MRC started a campaignto createawareness and inform communitiesabout CBHFAprogramme and to recruitvolunteers. The responseto this campaignwas very good and through an interviewprocess, several volunteerswere recruited.These volunteers with the newlyrecruited CBHFAField Offcers went throughan intensecapacity building of FirstAid Training of Trainers (ToT) training, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment(VCA) training and CBHFAToT training. These volunteers First Aid demonstrationsby Maldiviatl Red Crescentat the World Health Da, ewnt. Photo crcdits: Adam Faisal, IFRC, Maldives and staff afe now supportingimplementation of the CBHFA programmein differentpans ofthe lMaldives.

CBHFAprogramme was initiatedin HaaDhaalu, Thaa and Seenu atoll in newlyformed unats and branchesof MRCin March2010. Thisincluded training of communityvolunteers on severaltopics of CBHFA,based on resultsof a comprehensiveVCAS conducted in thesecommunities. The communitv level volunteers - calledCBHFA Educators- compiledan actionplan of activitiesthat they would implementin theircommunities for the nextthree months with the suooortofthe establishedunit and branches.

ry First Aiil demonstfttions by Moldirian Red Crescentat the wotld Health Dd, event. Photo crcdits: Adam Faisal, IFRC, Maldives

MRCpositioned in StrategicNational Action Plan (SNAP) on DisasterRisk Reduction and ClimateChange Adaptation MRChas been positionedin the StrategicNational Action Plan CBHFAprogromme wos initioted in (SNAP)fof DisasterRisk Reduct;on and Climate Change Adaptation, launchedby the Governmentin october2009, as a keypartner in HooDhoolu, Thoo ond Seenuololl in the implementationof disasterrisk reduction and climatechan9e newlyformed units ond bronchesof adaptation-relatedactivities at the communitylevel. MRC is alsoa memberofthe DisasterManagementSteeringComr'littee(onstituted MRCin Morch 20]0. by the NationalDisaster Management Councii in the Disaster ManagementBillthat is awaiting approvalbythe Parliament - to act asthe nationalplatform for disasterrisk reduction and response. This providesa nationalmandate for MaldivianRed Crescent to leadin suchcommunity based disaster management programmes, makrng it a primecandidate as an implementingpartner. Y Youth Forum, SecondAfifiuaI Gefiercl Assemblr.Photo rredits: MRC

Capa(ityBuilding of staffand volunteersto Paftnershipand collaborative events with majorstakeholders facilitateeffi

TwoProgramme staffattended HIV Programme Review N,leeting held Similarly,^,4RC supported Ministry of Healthand Familyto raise by SouthAsia Regional Delegation of the Federationin January2010 awarenessat communitylevel during Influenza A HlN1 pandemic aimedat learninglessons and understanding programmes within the with rhe help of staffin the 6eld durlng the time. Informa(ion region.This opportunity was also used to visitthe NepalRed Cross packagesdesigned were disseminated to communitymembers in SocietyHeadquarters to learnabout their programmestructure, additionto communityawareness sesrions, CBHFAprogramme and organizational development issues.

Moreover,a Programmeteam attended an 8 day workshop in MRC supported Februaryorganised by National Disaster ManagementCentre (NDlvlC) to on disastermanagement and inter-institutionalco-ordination. Ministryof Heolth ond Fomily The meetingwas attended by key stakeholdersfrom relatedareas. roise oworeness ot communlly Discussionswere centred on how agenciescould contribute and level during InfluenzoA HlNl coordinateat timesof disasterand emergencies. MRC also attended regionaldisaster management (Dlv1) meeting organised by lFRc pondemic with the help of stoffin 50uthAsia Regional Delegation (5ARD)which was held in NewDelhi the fieldduring the iime. in February2010.

MRC staff attendedand completedVulnerability and Capacity Assessment(VCA) learning by doing training;n Nepalfrom 1B MRCcollaborated with MaldivesBlood Donors and Thalassaemia Februaryto 1 March2010. The training was afianged by the South Centreto conducta blood donationcamp in orderto celebrate position AsiaRegional Delegation (SARD) as part of the CommunityBased anniversaryof lMaldivesPolice Services.The camp helped to Healthand First Aid (CBHFA) programme. As a resultofthis training, MRCin the healthsector and providedan opportunityto enlist ProgrammeDepartment is able to provide better VCA training volunteersand members during ihe event. oppoftunitie5 to the field offi cers and community volunteers ProgrammeDepartment conducted a first aid awarenessand A Programmestaff and a communiryvolunteer from MRC attended demonstrationsession in collaborationwith Ministryof Healthand (MNDF)tomark Workshopin IndigenousKnowledge on DisasterRisk Reduction in Family(MoHF)and Maldives National Defence Force March201O in Eangladesh.The workshop was part ofthe strategyto the WorldHealth Day (7th April) in April2010. lt wasvery successful incorporatecommunity practisesand knowledgeinto the everyday in promotingthe FirstAid services of MRC. programmein NationaI Societies. The meeting was usefulfor MRC in r,.il understandingcommunity perspectives to disasterrisk reduction in the regron, t-'klrl'1'1 FirsI Ai d d emofi stratiofis bt Malditian Red Cresce t at the World Health l>ay

Photo credits : Sha.iya AIi, MRC

Exploringnew opportunities and developingneed-based programmes

TheCanadian Red Cross (CRC) launched a "DRRlnitiative" grant and MRCis also curently reviewingthe availableVulnerability and calledfor proposalsfrom theTsunami affected countries in February CapacityAssessments (vCA) in-order to developrelevant and need 2010.Thegrant offered an opportunityto implement a projectworth basedprogrammes for the Maldiviancommunities. Some key areas 1 millionCanadian dollars. MRC submitted a proposalin February includevoluntary non -remunerated blood donation, HIV AIDS and 2010,for a 4 year'Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction in substanceabuse prevention. Maldives'project amounting Canadian dollars 958,750. The concept paperwas approvedby CRCin N,larch2010 and upon approvala detailedproposalwas submitted in April2010.

StandardFirst AidTraininq StandardFirsl Aid Training EasicFirst Aid Tfaining

EasicFirst Aid Training

\-v.A 4.BranchDevelopment

MajorAchievements: Establishmentof 08 units and 04 branchesin differentregions of Maldives Accordingto the BranchDevelopment Plan MRC have established units and branches in different regions of Maldives.The implementationof the plan started with the adoption of Branch DevelopmentGuidelines by the GBin OctoberThereafter, Branch DevelopmentOutreach Teams composed ofField Officers and lsland ..ietr* VolunteerFocal Points were trained.These team5 then proceeded with Red Cross/Red Crescent information dissemination and r?- recruitmentof volunteersand membersfor the formationof MRC Unitsin initial8 is'andsto constitute4 MRCBranches (N,lalel Seenu. Thaaand Haa Dhaalu) within the samemonrh.

In the first batch units were developedin SeenuHulhudhoo - Meedhoo,Seenu Hithadhoo, Thaa Buruni, Thaa Veymandoo, Haa DhaaluKulhudhufushi, Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaram and in Henveiruward of Maleand Vili- Malei Unitassemblies for theseunits were held in December2009. First unit assemblies,in accordancewith [,1RCRules of Procedurewere convenedby GB.The BranchAssemblies were heldin HaaDhaal,Thaa and Seenu atoll in January 2010. [,4ale'Branch Assemblywasheld in March2010.

BranchDeveiopment work in the secondbatch ofatoll have started in Noonu,Vaavuand Gnavivaniatollin the endofMarch 2010. Noonu Holhudhoounitassembly was held on 09April 2010. L,nit assemblies in VaavuFulidhoo and Gnavivani Fuvahmulah are scheduled for the lastweek ofApril. Blood Do,lor Sign-upon 14 June 2010. Thestatus of Branchesand Unitsand activitiesare as follows, Photo crealits:Adam Faisal, IFRC, Maldires

lnformation sessionheld bv the BranchBoard to members HaaDhaal CBHFAoroqramme initiation

Kulhudhuffushi CBHFAprogramme initiation

Nolhivaramu CBHFAprogramme initiation CBHFAprogramme initiation

Thaa CBHFAprogramme initiation

Veymandoo CBHFAprogramme initiation Buruni CBHFAprogramme initiation Seenu CBHFAprogramme initiation

Hithadhoo CBHFAprogramme initiation Hulhumeedhoo CBHFAprogramme initiation

Activitiespostponed due to impendingspecial assemblies Male' andelections coming up in theseLlnits

Activitiespostponed due to impendingspecial assemblies Henveiru andelections coming up in theseunits

Activitiespostponed due to impendingspecial assemblies Villingili andelections coming up in theseunits Eforts to intprore media relations. MRC Prcsi.lent lbrahim Shafeegbeiflg interl,iewed bl Youth TV ol MNBC on World Red Crossand Red Cresce t .lay 8 Moy 2010. Photo credits:Abdulla Shafeeq,MRC, Mob' Brunch.

5.ExternalAffa irs Development lvlajorAchievements: lmprovementin mediarelations and communications A mediasensitization meeting was held in March20l0 by MRCwith the objectiveof providinginformation on MRCactivities and upcoming eventsto the mediaand building relations with them. lMajor media partners such as Television lMaldives (TVM), DhiTV Villa TV (VTV), Voice of Maldives(VoM) and Minivan News attended the meeting.Media packs were sent to allthose who couldnot attend the meeting.

Allmediaoutlets were informed of MRCprogramme activities, branch formations and 2nd GA through out this period lnterviewswere given to VOM,VTV and DhiTV during MRC events such a5 Unit Assemblies held in Januaryand February. Press release5 were also issued in Dhivehi andcirculated to the mediaoutlets.

Widemedia coverage was given to the announcementof the upcoming2nd GA. The Secretary General (5G) gave interviews to DhiTVand VTVon thissubiect. In additionSG also pa(icipated in programmesof Vo/\,4to giveinformation on 2nd GAand the currentprogramme implementation.

Developmentof MRCidentity materials MRCha5 developed letterheads, business cards, stamp and several other materialS that are of essentialuse to the organisationaccording to the Corporateldentity Management guideline that has been drafted

BritishRed Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross, Joponese Red Cross hos pledgedf or FederotlonsMoldives Appeol 20,1 0 - 20I 1. tYr, (1 Scalingup ResourceMobilisation i\,4ainsource ofMRC resource is from membershipand therefore i\4RC hasbeen collectively working to increaseits membershipthrough payingand co-operate members. As of 12April 2010, [4RC has 524 members.With a yearlymembership fee of MRF50 and firsttjme registrationfee of MRF10, approximatelyMRF 32,000 has been collectedas paying membership fee within rhis period. In addition, the threecorporate members are major companies in l\,4aldivesand thereforecontributed significant amounts as well.

MRChas also put in effortsio increasedonor fundingfor MRC activitiesforyear20l0-2011 sinceAugust2009. Assuch, meetings and lettershave been exchangedwith severaldonor National Societiesand funding agencies to gaintheir confi dence in suppo.ting MRCactivities. Severa I adva n ce ments have been made in this ground with BritishRed Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross, Japanese Red Cross has pledgedforFederationslMaldivesAppeal 2010 2011.

MRCtogether with IFRCwas invited to participatein the Maldives DonorConference held in March 2010 at Bandoslsland Resort.The 5G represented[4RC at this forum, which provideda good oppoftunity to networkand establishcontacts with donorsand oovernment agencies,

\\1.

qedits: Cottection oldonatio sduriflgtro d RedCross RedCrcscent tutf,08th Mal2010. Photo Abdulla Shafeeq,vMRC, Male'Branch. PublicRelations

Since its formationMRC has been working hard to increase partnerships,collaborations and set up relationshipswith several internationaiand national stakeholders.

Duringthis periodMRC has had a meetingwith the Presidentof Maldives,His ExcellencyMr MohamedNasheed, which meeting MRChos mointqined close supportedin strengtheningthegovernment supportfor MRC and its colloborotionsond relolionswith Porlner work.Similarly MRC has also established connections with Ministry of lslamicAffairs, Ministry of Healthand Family,National Disaster NotionolSocieties who supportedduring ManagementCentre and other government agencies. Tsunomisuch qs

At internationallevel,lMRC has maintained close collaborations and ConodionRed Cross, Briiish Red Cross relations with Partner National Societieswho supported during ond AmericonRed Cross. Tsunamisuch as Canadian Red Cross, British Red Cross and American Red Cross.In addition, i\,4RChas also built good working relations with the Federation'sMaldives Delegation, South Asia Regional Delegation(5ARD), Zone and Secretariatin Geneva.

Constraintsand Challenges

The major challengeto the work of MaldivianRed Crescent is that RiskReduction and Healthand Careby nationalagencies, and to until recentlyMaldives has not had a NationalSociety.Therefore, the be invitedto such collaborativeevents. The lackof experienceand successof the programmesand structuresthat havebeen built is expertisein theseareas is a constraint,not onlyto MRCbut to other dependenton the acceptance,ownership, support and contribution agenciesworking in Maldivesin theseareas as well. However, MRC of the targetedcommunities and Maldivianpublic. The promotion with experiencedand trained staff during Tsunamirecovery is at a of an understandingof the MRCmandate and serviceshas to be betterposition to continuequality work in theseareas. prioritizedbefore beginning ofallactivities in communities.This has beenconsistently done through all programme components as well Withthe changein constitutionand new multi-partypresidential asthrough specific public relations and communicationsactivities. electionsin 2008,the media attention i5 focusedon the l\4aldivian However,a lackof understandingamong the Maldiviancommunity politicalenvironment. Therefore,getting media interestfor MRc of the specificnature of MRCas a voluntaryhumanitarian service servicesand activitieshave proven difficuh in rhe beginning.With providerhas been observed.Thisis one areathat needsto be given severalmedia sensitizations and mobilisationactivities the media specialattention through dissemination of informationand other commitmentto MRCactivities improved over the last few months activitiesofMRC. Likewise,getting communitiesinterested and mobilisedin fu1RC humanitarianactivities is diffcultas mostcommunities are either Tsunamiinterventions revealed that due to the geographicnature involvedin politicalactivities or havingsocial aonflacts due to of the countrycauses many logistical challenges. lmplementation politicalvariance. By informationsharing and awarenesssessaons, of the programmesand the establishmentof unitsand branches MRChave managed to mobilisecommunities to participateactively is a challengedue to the geographicalstructure of the country, in implementationand organisation of structLtresduring this period. its relatedpopulation distribution and high unit cost of traveland Howevetthis is expectedto improveonce the politicalenvironment logistics.Uncontrollable factors such as weather are also an obstacle 5tabilises. in programmeimplementation, especially in hinderingtravel by 5ea Whilethis may be a challengein the beginning,9rassroots presence - in the form of unitsand branches- will eventuallyensure ready accessto programme5and servicesby the islandcommunities. In fact,this grassrootspresence will, in the long run, be the paramount strengthofthe MaldivianRed Crescent. Nevertheless, the costfactor and unforeseenweather situations bring about budget escalations and implementationobstacles.

Accessto initialor seedfunding is anotherconstraint, as a new NationalSociety MRC requires a balanceof strategicfunds, from the veryoutset, from local and national sources as wellas from Red Cross RedCrescent partners in orderto build its immediate strengthswithin a self-sustainingand well phasedfinancial approach. Even rhough MRChas been successful in raisingfunds and resourcesin this period thereneeds to an establishmentof a resourcemobilisation strategy andsustainable means of gainingfunds.

In lMaldives,organisations and majornational work is centralised within Male' and over the yearstraditional collaborative and partnershipshave already been set in place As a new National SocietyMRC has yet a lot of work to do in order to be recognised and acceptedas a partnerin programmaticaleas such as Disaster sC grPJr Y t-/ ,it alutrn.rr t- ul Rg dCiricent

walk'|he'Ialk : Celebrcting Wo d Red CrcssDay M y I 2qt1.Photo credits: Abdulld Shskeq, MRC volunteer LookingAhead

MaldivianRed Crescentas a new NationalSociety has made As lvlRcwill be establishingmore Unitsand Branchesin different signifi(antstrides in the first few months of itsestabla5hment since 16 regionsof the country,efforts will be investedlo build the

MRCformation and development activities for year 2009 were funded throughthe FederationAppeal 2008 -2009.IFRC was handling MRCfinances until I February2010 when MRCtook overits own financialmanagement. A statement ofexpenditure from July 2009 to December2009 was provided bythe IFRC Maldives Delegation and is annexedto thisdocument,

Anaudited Financial Statementfor l8 months,thati5 0l July2009 - 3I December20I0 will be providedby MRC in the Annual Report for thecompleted 2010 year. StatutoryCommittees' Updates

l.GoverningBoard Withthe establishmentof MaldivianRed Crescent on 16August and the GoverningBoard being elected, work was initiatedto implementthe adoptedMRC lnterim Development Plan. Through adoption of policiesand guidelines the Boardassisted and guided the eariyimplementation. In addition,the Board authorizedthe establishmentof MRCUnits and Branchesin accordancewith the BranchDevelopment Plan.Consequently the Boardformally recognized the 8 Unitsand 4 Branchesof MaldivianRed Crescent establishedin 3 atollsand Male'.The Society has been able to register524 individual and 3 corporate membersby I2 April2010. Member5 of the Boardpafticipated in two internationalevents. These visits enabledthe membersto gainmore knowledge on the functioningof a nationalsociety and were able to makedirect contact with olficials to seekfunds for the implementationof brancherand programmes.

2.NationalAdvisory Council Asthe bodymandated to giveadvice to the governingbodies of MaldivianRed crescent, the advisory councilheld two meetingsduring the reportingperiod. The Governing Eoard sought advice from the Councilregarding matters related to the GeneralAssembly. The Council also identified (he positionsof the GoverningBoard that will be re-electedat the Second6eneral A55embly of MaldivianRed Crescent.

3.FinanceCommission TheFinance Commission held two meetingsin the pasteight months. The meetings presided over tasks suchas finalization of lrRCFinance Policy and approval of managementaccounts for the quarterending in 28 February2010 and adoption of MRCplan and budget for the year 2010 and 201]

4.ComplaintsCommittee Sincethe formationof MaldivianRed Crescent (iVRC) on 16August 2009, the Committeeheld only one meeting.The committee comprise5 five members. lts main responsibility isto handlecomplaints against branchboard members, misuse of authoritygiven by the GeneralAssembly, violation of the rulesand regulationof Redcross Red crescent Movement by membersand branches,MRc statutesand [4RCRules of procedure.Work is underway in formulating the procedurefor filingand handling complaints received by its memberseffectively. The committee'smain objectiveis to developproper mechanismto handle complaintsin an effrcientmanner. TheFundamental Principles of the InternationalRed Cross and RedCrescent Movement

Humanity TheInternational Red Cross and RedCrescent Movement, born of a desiretobring assistance without discrimination tothewounded on the battlefield,endeavours, in its internationaland nationalcapacity, to preventand alleviatehuman sufferingwherever it may be found. Its purposeis to protect life and health and to ensurerespect for the humanbein9. lt promotesmutual understanding, friendship, cooperationand lasting peace amongst all peoples. lmpartiality It makesno discriminationas to nationality,race religiousbeliefs, classof politicalopinions. lt endeavoursto relievethe sufferingof individuals,being guided solely bytheir needs, and to givepriorityto the most urgentcases ofdistress.

Neutrality In orderto enioythe confidenceof all,the Movementmay not take sidesin hostilitiesor engageat anytimein controversies ofa political, racial,religiou5 or ideologicalnature.

Independence The Movement is independent. The National Societies,while auxiliariesin the humanitarianservices of their governmentsand subject to the laws of their respectivecountries, must always maintaintheir autonomy so that they may be ableat alltimes to act in accordancewith the principlesof the Movement.

Voluntaryseryice It is a voluntaryrelief movement not promptedin any mannerby desireforgain.

Unity Therecan be only one RedCross or RedCrescent Society in any one country.lt mustbe open to all.ltmust carry on itshumanitarian work throughoutitsterritory.

Universality TheInternational Red Cross and RedCrescent Movement, in which allsocietie5 have equal status and share equal responsibilities and dutiesin helping each other, is worldwide. oo c c o oc c e?P' t 2., /t, at MaldivianRed Crescent