Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Message from the President 3 Message from the Secretary General 3 Introduction and acknowledgment 4 Strategic Goal 1: Build a strong and sustainable National Society 4 Fulfill the 10 conditions for recognition 4 Invest to develop our human resources (staff, volunteers, members) 4 Ensure financial sustainability 5 Strengthen local presence 6 Forge partnerships 7 Enhance transparency and accountability 7 Ensure good governance 8 Actively promote Red Cross knowledge whenever there is an opportunity 8 Strategic Goal 2: Enhance community resilience 9 Disaster preparedness 9 Disaster response 10 Risk Reduction 10 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) 10 Logistics Development 10 Strategic Goal 3: Promote health and safety 11 Develop First Aid as a core MIRCS service 11 Lead the setting of first aid standards in RMI in partnership with the MOHHS 11 Address non-communicable diseases 12 Health emergencies 12 Develop volunteer initiatives to address social issues 12 Promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donation 12 Challenges in 2018 but looking forward to 2019 13 Financial Statement [1st October 2017 – 30th September 2018] 14 Executive Summary st th This Annual report covers the period 1 ​ October 2017 until 30 ​ September 2018. ​ ​ Highlights of this report includes: o Recognition by ICRC of the Marshall Islands Red Cross (MIRCS) as the 191st National Society in the world. o Provisional admission of MIRCS by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent o Formal establishment of an MIRCS-Ebeye branch o MIRCS has certified on First Aid a total of 862 individuals (572 males; 290 females) o MIRCS has 500 volunteers o MIRCS has established Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) in 9 islands and atolls of RMI. o Jeirok community has started its Early Warning System, inspired by the Jenrok community EWS. o MIRCS is preparing for an all high school First Aid Competition in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 (December 2018). o MIRCS has established Red Cross youth Councils in 6 schools Message from the President The Marshall Islands Red Cross Society’s (MIRCS) journey towards becoming a fully-fledged National Society is challenging, but has likewise manifested the strong resolve of its volunteers and leaders to create a National Society that is relevant, sustainable, and strong. This 2018 Annual Report is the start of MIRCS publicly releasing a summary report of what it has done in the year before. This is part of our being transparent and accountable to our donors, supporters and the public. I am proud to say that your Marshall Islands Red Cross has accomplished so much in 2018. Our limited number of paid staff is strongly complemented by our active volunteers and youth. Our journey towards becoming a strong national society will continue and we are hoping that the public, our volunteers and youth will continue to actively support us. Dr. Alexander Z. Piňano Message from the Secretary General The Marshall Islands is a country on the forefront of the climate change issue. We have already seen and felt the impact of sea level rise and weather changes that are beginning to overwhelm our islands. As someone who has worked, lived and raised a family here in the Marshall Islands for over three decades, I find these new occurrences both disheartening and challenging at the same time. We continue to emphasize the need to prepare our island communities and our people for disasters, emergencies and health related challenges through volunteering and extensive community engagement. The value of the Red Cross to the Marshall Islands and to our region has never been more important and apparent. It is the goal of the MIRCS to build and to sustain highly organized programs for the health, safety and well-being of our island nation. Jack Niedenthal Introduction and acknowledgment This Annual Report 2018, and future annual reports of the Marshall Islands Red Cross Society, shall be structured in such a way that it will reflect the National Society’s journey through its Strategic Plan 2017-2021. It shall also be regularly published by the MIRCS to inform the public, its members, volunteers, and stakeholders about the accomplishments and challenges of their Red Cross in the Marshall Islands. These accomplishments of the MIRCS could not have been done without the active volunteers and the staff who worked hard. Strategic Goal 1: Build a strong and sustainable National Society 1. Fulfill the 10 conditions for recognition The Marshall Islands Red Cross Society (MIRCS) applied for recognition on 29 March 2017. In June 2017, the First MIRCS General Assembly was held. In September 2017, the Joint IFRC and ICRC Assessment Mission visited the Marshall Islands and extensively assessed the MIRCS against the ten conditions for recognition. On 20th ​ December 2017, the ICRC recognized the MIRCS as the 191st Red Cross Society in the world. On 26th June 2017, the governing ​ ​ Board of IFRC provisionally admitted the Marshall Islands Red Cross Society into the IFRC. Formal admission will be during the December 2019 Red Cross Red Crescent General Assembly in Geneva. 2. Invest to develop our human resources (staff, volunteers, members) VOLUNTEERS Male Female TOTAL Majuro 36 14 49 Ebeye 39 32 71 Ajeltake (Majuro) 12 3 15 Jeirok (Majuro) 5 14 19 Jenrok (majuro) 8 27 35 RongRong 14 11 25 Jaluit Atoll 19 5 24 Wotje Atoll 13 2 15 Ailinglaplap Atoll 13 10 23 Namdrik Atoll 4 15 19 Arno Atoll 24 1 25 Namu Atoll 21 21 Mejatto - Kwaj 10 11 21 Lae Atoll 11 11 22 Likiep Atoll 18 3 21 TOTAL 247 159 406 The MIRCS has 500 volunteers about 50 of them are active. As part of providing opportunities for development of its staff and volunteers, MIRCS participated in the following regional and sub-regional meetings, workshops and conferences. Most of these capacity enhancement platforms are supported by the International Federation. 1. FA Instructors co-facilitation in Pohnpei. Three First Aid master instructors were provided ​ the opportunity to further polish their knowledge and skills in First Aid Training of instructors by co-facilitating and observing the Pohnpei FA Instructors Course.1 2. Communications workshop in Pohnpei, FSM.2 ​ 3. Fundraising Workshop in Pohnpei, FSM. This is aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills of ​ national societies to plan, design and implement a successful fundraising initiative.3 4. Continuing education (finance development). Aimed at ensuring good finance management ​ in the national Society. 4 5. Disaster Management Forum, Suva, Fiji. To engage with all disaster management officers of ​ the Pacific and exchange lessons learned and good practices.5 6. Red Cross and Red Crescent General Assembly, Antalya, Turkey. A Red Cross Red Crescent ​ Statutory meeting where the MIRCS was an observer.6 7. Youth as Agents of Behavior Change (YABC), Suva, Fiji. Attended by Youth members Maya ​ Sam and Jenson Rufus. 8. North Pacific Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation Workshop, Koror, Palau.7 ​ 9. Red Cross Red Crescent National Society Workshop on implementation of the Movement Action Plan 2018-2021 Towards the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons​, Geneva, Switzerland.8 10. Health Workshop in Malaysia ​ 11. Peer to Peer Study Exchange with the Philippines Red Cross Headquarter and branch. ​ Male Female TOTAL Number of people who have taken courses in the 5 4 9 Learning Platform LEARNING PLATFORM Male Female TOTAL COURSES UNDERTAKEN Stay safe 5 4 7 World of Red Cross and 2 1 2 Red Crescent Code of conduct 1 1 2 Child Protection 1 1 2 1 Participants: Mr. Simpson Lalej (First Aid and Outer Islands coordinator); Ms Telbi Jason (Finance and Admin Officer); Ramanthy (Volunteer First Aid instructor based in Ebeye Branch). Supported by IFRC, IOM, New Zealand Red Cross. 2 Participants: Mr. Roger Muller (Communications Officer) and Ms. Crystal Komen. supported by ICRC. 3 Participants: Ms. Telbi jason (Finance/Admin Officer) and Mr. Nathan Nathan (MIRCS Ebeye Coordinator). Supported by IFRC 4 Ms. Telbi Jason is supported in her formal education efforts. with support from IFRC. 5 Participant: Mr. Harry Herming (Disaster Management Officer). with support from IFRC. 6 Participants: Mr. Jack Niedenthal (Secretary General) and Dr. Alexander Pinano (President). With support from IFRC. 7 Participants: Mr. Simpson Lale (staff)j, Dilia Mares (MIRCS volunteer), and Mr. Paul Lalita (Majuro Hospital). Supported by IFRC 8 Participant: Mr. Jack Niedenthal. supported by ICRC and IFRC. Statutory Return 1 1 Income Declaration 1 1 Fraud & Corruption 1 1 Security 1 1 TOTAL 9 11 17 The MIRCS is encouraging its volunteers and staff to avail of the learning opportunities offered by the IFRC Learning Platform. This is being incorporated either as a required course (e.g. stay safe, code of conduct) or recommended course (e.g. World of Red Cross and Red Crescent). In 2019, this will be more actively pursued to enhance knowledge and skills of MIRCS staff and volunteers. Managing gender balance is important to MIRCS and it always make sure that males and females are included in trainings, workshops, and any activities conducted by society. Volunteers are always encourage to take part in different scopes of work. In this regard, MIRCS likewise recognized and awarded its outstanding FY 2018 volunteers through a simple ceremony and a get together of all volunteers at the Melele Room of MIR. 3. Ensure financial sustainability The Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands provided significant financial support to MIRCS in 2018. A new corporate donor, Investors Solutions, has commenced supporting the MIRCS Youth First Aid Training Program, which over the course of this year supported the training of 100 young people in First Aid from both the Majuro and Ebeye communities. The MIRCS has accessed grants from the National Training Council (NTC) and the IOM for its outer island branch development program.