always red winter 2012

no limits Giving youth a little nudge to unlock their potential

Women and warThree women, three stories about war

a hunter’s paradisewhy more people are choosing second-hand shops as their fashion destination

WiNteR 2012 VOLUME 2

Welcome to the second edition of Always Red, and the fi rst for 2012. The year may have only just begun,

but it has been full of milestone one-year anniversaries with the Australian fl oods in January, Christchurch in February and Japan in March.

These natural disasters and our support to other national societies in their response has stretched our resources at an unprecedented level. Domestically the scale of the disaster in Christchurch and the unique and evolving demands of recovery has provided us with an opportunity to learn, grow and change.

Recovery is new to New Zealand Red Cross and has become an important facet of what we now do. Our commitment to Canterbury and the rest of New Zealand is long-term. We will help people better prepare for future events, strengthen community resilience and invest in recovery activities that are relevant and effective.

We strive to be more responsive, fl exible, innovative, and consultative in our work with communities. We aim to do this through our recovery work and the development of a suite of innovative community programmes that have the potential to be rolled out nationally.

In this edition we highlight the scope and breadth of our work and the difference the Red Cross Movement makes to lives both here in New Zealand and around the world.

John R. Ware Chief Executive

In this issue

NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS ALWAYS RED

Offi cial National Newsletter of New Zealand Red Cross

ISSN 2253-2250 (Print)

ISSN 2253-2269 (Online)

Winter 2012 Volume 2

National PresidentPenny Mason

Chief ExecutiveJohn R. Ware

New Zealand Red Cross and 188 other National Societies are members of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, they make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is an independent humanitarian organisation based on the fundamental principals of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.

New Zealand Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and enhancing community resilience.

The only limit is yourself Giving youth a little nudge to unlock their potential

Bargain hunter’s paradise Bargains, originality and the thrill of the hunt, why more people are choosing second-hand shops as their fashion destination

Covering the gaps after earthquakes The mental scars in Christchurch after repeated earthquakes. What works now and what is the priority?

Women and WarThree women, three stories about war

Inside syria The ICRC president returns to Syria again to expand access

a walk down memory lane Rakaia Red Cross has a history its historical society is putting in a book

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10.

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NATIONAL OFFICE

PO Box 12140, Wellington69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6144Phone: 04 471 8250Fax: 04 471 8251

Email: [email protected]: www.redcross.org.nz

Editor: Justine TurnerEmail: [email protected]

Design & Print: MakeReadyEmail: [email protected]

� Keonte Ngatai giving it his all during one of the challenges.

isonLy LIMItthe

youRSELF2 NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS

Keonte Ngatai was a shy, withdrawn 11 year old boy. His family had recently moved to Manaia, a peaceful rural town of about 1000, situated on the

coast at the foot of Mount Taranaki’s southern slopes.

“The move was a bit of a cultural shock for him,” his mother Donna says.

“He began to lack confidence in his ability in discussions and leadership roles, shying away from taking the limelight.”

Keonte has recently completed New Zealand Red Cross’ No Limits youth programme, designed to empower 10 to 12 year olds through personal development and positive integration to reach their full potential.

Donna says Keonte feels important again.

“He is more confident in trying something new, especially individually, he is not shy to stand out and shine now!”

No Limits selects students who, due to socioeconomic, family situations, bullying, shyness or social isolation, would not normally get an opportunity to attend a development programme. Students are initially nominated by schools, police youth aid, big brothers big sisters, youth organisations including Whanau Ora, Barnardos and Child Youth and Family to partake in the three day programme. Once selected Red Cross then invites students (with caregiver consent) to participate, at no cost.

New Zealand Red Cross Taranaki Area Manager Karen Lawson says the programme, which has been running since August 2010, is a community partnership designed to make children believe in themselves again.

“This is not a programme for children with serious behavioural problems

fresh, attractive and relevant to children’s needs today they can do and are

capable of, anything.

instead it is for those who need a little nudge to unlock their potential.

“The programme is never exactly the same each time we run it, so it remains fresh, attractive and relevant to children’s needs today.”

The course combines a unique mix of outdoor education skills, activities and educational modules provided by police, army, fire service, Department of Conservation, surf lifesaving, dieticians and chefs. It is designed to help students acquire and develop skills including problem solving, decision making, communication, planning and teamwork as well as exposing them to a range of positive roles models.

One parent says of her child: “Alex is home from the first day of the programme and we can’t get him to stop talking about it.”

The programme is facilitated by youth leaders, known to the students as “besties” who have been selected from high school leadership programmes throughout the region. Lawson says by getting students to help, the programme instils the idea that when the younger ones grow up, they can return in their final years of high school to take on the role of a “bestie” for the next generation.

Youth leader or “bestie” Shaun Leuthart says the young students look up to them. “I think our presence as youth leaders had a positive effect,” he says. “They were able to socialise and talk to us because of our age.”

While another youth leader Ricky

Riccitellis says “No Limits created a bonding experience for these kids. It built their self-confidence throughout the three days and they learnt and cooperated together as a team”.

Although the programme runs over three days, children do not stay overnight. Regional Lions Clubs provide drivers to pick up and drop

home participants to ensure everyone who wants to can attend. Children are also feed during the day.

“Parents and caregivers are not aware of programmes contents prior to a session in order to promote conversation and prevent students from becoming frightened or nervous,” says Lawson.

“The programme has a lasting effect on participants. It teaches them that they can do and are capable of anything. The only limit is yourself.”

The programme has been developed in consultation with trained councillors, aid workers, New Plymouth District Council community development, police, youth aid and Taranaki outdoor adventures. It is aligned with the country’s Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa.

New Zealand Police Taranaki youth service coordinator Constable Andrew Ross says the youth become immensely engaged with Red Cross’ No Limits.

“The whole idea to push them a little and open their eyes to what’s out there, the youth I spoke to were impressed,” he says.

And so is Donna.

“Keonte loved his adventure. Keonte has changed and I thank No Limits for giving my boy the confidence he sometimes lacked. I found the team awesome; I wish I could send all my children.”

� Ledgin Wetere rides his board.

ALWAYS RED 3

Bargains, originality and the thrill of the hunt, are some of the reasons why more people are choosing second-hand shops as their fashion destination. Once viewed as daggy, musty and just plain old, second-hand clothing is now very much on trend. The younger generation are heading

to second-hand shops, such as Red Cross, to fi nd unique vintage items not available in mainstream fashion stores and at prices they can aff ord.

Bargainparadisehunter’s

“The popularity of vintage and retro has really re-defi ned how many second-hand retailers operate, items that may have previously been viewed (and priced) as daggy and old fashioned, are often the items the young hipsters are

looking for” says Renee Ramakers Red Cross Retail Manager Lower North Island. “This has all been great for Red Cross shops, as our profi le, customer numbers and sales have all increased with this change in

customer expectation.”

For university student Hayley, it is the thrill of fi nding a “gem amongst the piles of questionable fashion” that keeps her shopping second-hand. Hayley has been shopping at second-hand stores since deciding to “rock the 80s” with a group of friends. At the time 80’s and vintage inspired outfi ts had yet to hit mainstream

fashion stores. Therefore the place to go was second-hand shops, home of dresses, jackets and pants donned during decades of the past.

Many of the well-constructed brands, fabrics and styles last the distance. For others, a little love, care and sewing skills can transform them to new

again. “You have to troll through racks, look for potential ‘in’ items that you could alter,” Hayley says. “[I love] that challenge and potential

to make something personalised...not to mention the thrill you get knowing you’re not likely to run into someone on the street wearing the exact same dress.”

There is always the chance of fi nding something unique and original at Red Cross as new items are donated every day. “Certain times of the year see an infl ux of donated goods, season changes and over Christmas we are usually very busy sorting donated goods” says Renee. Red Cross has also gained support from big brands such as Country Road and Pumpkin Patch who donate old stock and extra inventory.

Whether it is an original piece of vintage clothing or exclusive brands the customer is after, they have the choice when shopping at one of Red Cross’ shops.

“Many second-hand shoppers visit their favourite stores on a regular basis” says Renee.

“We have customers that visit us every day, to see what is new”.

Regular second-hand customer and fashion lover Joy has two very good reasons why she keeps going back. Second-hand shops are “never the same as the previous day” says Joy. “Not

BY Lisa DUFF

4 NEW ZEALAND RED CROSS

to mention the bargains”. When asked to name her favourite second-hand buys Joy is quick to answer. “A $3.50 leather clutch and black leather boots with fur trim” she replies. Understandable, as there are not many places where you can purchase genuine, well quality fabrics for a fraction of the original price. “I love coming home with bags of stuff that only cost $5” says Joy.

It is not only clothing Joy has purchased from charity shops, since she began bargain hunting at school galas at the age of six. “Anything and everything! Furniture, knick knacks, toys, books, clothes, housewares, basically anything you can buy from an everyday store” says Joy.

“The most common donation that we receive is clothing, homewares and manchester,” says Bronwyn Tubman Regional Retail Manager Midland Region. “Areas such as Hamilton and Tauranga stock and sell a large range of homewares and furniture.”

These have become popular items to purchase at Red Cross shops as “to buy second time around is a more sustainable choice, it makes good fi nancial sense [to buy] at a lesser price” says Bronwyn. At a lower price shoppers can also fi nd unique pieces of retro furniture, which like clothing is on trend.

New customers are walking into Red Cross shops to check out the wide selection of clothing and house ware but regular customers are coming back for “the personal experience that the

shops provide” says Renee. “We know many by name and know what items we have they would love. The regular customers will “constantly compliment us on the layout, display and merchandising in store” says Renee.

You can see why when walking into the newly opened shop on Tawa’s main road, now the fi fth Red Cross shop to open in the Wellington Region.

On a busy Saturday morning, there are several shoppers trolling through the racks. The fi xtures are clearly spread out so fi nding a vintage gem is made that much easier. Evening bags and shoes are merchandised alongside the women’s dresses so customers can pick out a whole new outfi t.

This is a fi ne example of how Red Cross shops have evolved over the years focusing “attention on creating a shopping experience for the customer parallel with high street/commercial retail” says Renee. This attracts those people once afraid of “dingy” pre-loved items, to venture into the world of second-hand shopping.

So what is it that makes people choose Red Cross as their second-hand shopping destination? “We focus a lot on ensuring our 1100 volunteers are retail-trained so the customer has a warm, friendly and inviting experience with Red Cross” says Renee. “Our volunteers are an amazing group of people, who are the face of Red Cross in each suburb/town we operate in”.

For Joy and Hayley the answer is a simple. “I like to go to the charity ones because I like that the proceeds go to good causes” says Hayley. And good causes they do, with all the profi ts from the Red Cross shops going directly to the charity. “Our shops have become destination stores for those looking for something different, where fi fty bucks can stock up their wardrobe and a friendly face ensures a fantastic shopping experience” says Renee.

gem amongst the piles of

questionable fashion never

the same as the previous day

� Hannah a volunteer at Red Cross Newtown shop in Wellington.

� Customer browsing the racks at Red Cross’ Newtown shop in Wellington.

ALWAYS RED 5

long road

But progress in the hardest-hit towns is slow. Large scale rebuilding of permanent

homes has yet to begin, and survivors are anxious about the lack of clear reconstruction plans, particularly those families who were evacuated following the Fukushima nuclear accident who are also anxious about the possible long-term health effects of the disaster.

The Japanese Red Cross Society, which deployed nearly 900 medical teams and hundreds of psychosocial workers to support the relief operation, is now focused on addressing the needs of more than 300,000 people living in temporary accommodation.

“We are doing our utmost to make people comfortable, even though the conditions are cramped and cold in winter. We are also helping to prevent many elderly survivors from falling into emotional isolation and physical inactivity,” said Tadateru Konoe, President of both the Japanese Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Red Cross has provided more than 125,000 families in temporary housing with a set of six electrical appliances – including a television, fridge, rice cooker, hot water dispenser, microwave and electric heaters – have been distributed to many of the most vulnerable to help them stay warm amid sub-zero winter temperatures.

Psychosocial teams have shifted their focus away from the evacuation centres – now virtually empty – to

temporary housing settlements where they organise activities, such as tea parties and massage sessions for elderly residents.

“People have lost not only their homes, but also their jobs,” Sachiko Abe, a Red Cross psychosocial coordinator in Iwate Prefecture, said. “What they have lost is so great that it’s difficult for them to comes to terms with it and move forward; so I feel they really need psychosocial support.”

In practice wellness is made up of both physical and psychological factors.

That’s very much the thinking behind

the decision to set up the Smile Park project, an indoor playground aimed at the many children in Fukushima whose families don’t feel it’s safe for them to play out of doors.

“Today I feel very grateful to the Red Cross for creating an indoor play area like this; my two kids look very happy, and they don’t want to go home,” says one mother, Tamami Morino. “We initially registered them for two hours, and then extended their stay for four hours.”

It’s clear that the Red Cross will need to play a continuing role in supporting the needs of communities into the future. Also central to the National Society’s response is the conviction that people must have more information and be better prepared for eventualities like this.

Global donations have allowed the Red Cross to make a real difference in helping survivors of the tsunami to regain More than $781 million has been donated through national Red Cross Red Crescent societies worldwide. These funds are helping to make residents in temporary housing more comfortable, as well as supporting the most vulnerable, such as the elderly and children. They are also going towards the construction of temporary hospitals and clinics.

one year after Japan’s worst recorded natural disaster,

the area hit by the March 11 2011 earthquake and tsunami is showing clear signs of recovery. The tsunami caused devastation along a 700km stretch of coastline on the north east of Japan’s Honshu Island. Now, almost 70 per cent of the estimated 22 million tons of debris has been painstakingly cleared, electricity and communications have been restored and local businesses are slowly re-establishing themselves.

� As part of its psychosocial support, Japanese Red Cross organises Smile Smile health classes for the elderly”. C

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� New Zealand Red Cross at one year Christchurch earthquake commemorations.

Covering the gaps after the earthquakesWhat works now – and what is the priority in six months? The

mental scars in Christchurch after the repeated earthquakes are moderate to severe, but the authorities, agencies are trying to

address them, and learn from their work to build up.

From September 4 2010 to June 2011 the town of Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region of New Zealand experienced three major earthquakes and numerous after-shocks. The second big quake in February killed 181 and the shocks still continue. This on-going disaster is the second most deadly in New Zealand´s history and by far the costliest natural disaster ever.

New Zealand Red Cross and many other organisations were quickly on the spot to help the injured and the survivors. However, as often occurs, dealing with loss, injuries, sorrow and grief over long period also affected the helpers. This was acknowledged and support for them was organised.

At Massey University, Wellington, the

Disaster Research Centre established a psychosocial advisory group, made-up of experienced academics, who could reflect on strategy and signpost relevant evidence-informed research findings to be shared with the Ministries and local councils. Findings were also shared with grass-root groups operating in the field.

The idea was to be available, flexible and provide evidence informed material to all who needed input, and the advisory group contributed to both strategy, training and monitoring materials.

what are the costs? The Ministries leading the recovery and local responders asked: What works? What is the priority right

now - and in six months? What are the costs of psychosocial and mental health interventions or, what would the cost be if these activities were not budgeted?

The questions were legitimate and serious as they had consequences for an affected population in distress and an entire region’s well-being. So, how did we respond? We worked together to bring the strands of our knowledge and study into a holistic response to provide interventions that reflected what had been shown to be the most effective.

To this day, the group discusses relevant research literature, from the viewpoint that psychosocial recovery involves easing psychological difficulties for individuals, families and

ALWAYS RED 7

Most can cope Often resources are initially overwhelmed and then under-budgeted for the long-term effort that recovery demands. The advisory group is working to ensure that these long-term needs are acknow-ledged and will be met by agencies as evidence does show that most of an affected population will manage to cope if some support and practical help is on hand. Also community empowerment through participation in the recovery process needs to be continually supported as it is a vital aspect of recovery design on all levels.

This immediate support and help needs to be effective, organised and budgeted. Raphael as far back as 1986 defined this immediate support as being: ‘Basic, non-intrusive pragmatic care with a focus on listening but not forcing talk; assessing needs and ensuring that basic needs are met; encouraging but not forcing company from significant others; and protecting from further harm.’

Although most of an affected population will recover over time, a percentage will need specialised follow-up. This too needs to be organized in the recovery effort.

relocate with participation The advisory group underlined and supported the five effective elements. However, it is necessary not only to promote these elements, once

the immediate response phase has passed, but to establish monitoring and evaluation of what works. Likewise, it is necessary to anchor on-going activities in local ownership to enhance sustainability in the response.

The way that practical issues such as post-disaster financial problems, housing and schooling are addressed can have real impact on recovery. Because some suburbs had been built on swamp land which has now liquefied, schools, neighbourhoods, businesses, must now relocate and land use is a core question. A central body has been set up to re-plan areas of the city and a real attempt at community participation is underway- at the moment, several community workshops are taking place where the “new Christchurch town” plan is open to suggestions from the local population. communities - as well as building and

bolstering social and psychological wellbeing. We have produced documents and inputs on national and local strategies.

initiatives Must evolve Our standpoint is that all psychosocial recovery is situated in the context of many interconnected dimensions of recovery that include cultural, psychological, social, economic, ecological and physical dimensions – all of which are part of community regeneration.

As the psychosocial recovery processes develops over time, initial psychosocial initiatives should evolve with needs and cover any gaps in the response structure. For example, local support centres had mushroomed but the staff needed added training to give the necessary multi-dimensioned psychosocial support to families and individuals dealing with on-going issues.

It became clear that managers needed on-going support and respite as they had additional demands to deal with, longer hours and difficult working conditions; children at risk had often been forced to relocate and it was vital that agencies could follow-up and support them.

To cater for this, planning needs to be long-term, including on-going support and appropriate job design in all the teams, groups and local human resources.

� Roger Young from Wainoni receiving his torch radio from outreach volunteer Steve Guyatt.

what is the priority right now – and in six Months? psychosocial

recovery involves easing psychological difficulties for

individuals, faMilies and coMMunities


explaining is not enough A holistic approach to recovery requires that leading agencies work together across many levels of expertise: economic, construction, environmental, education, health and infrastructure engineering. Psychosocial recovery would benefit from the above domains taking into consideration the community and individual factors existing in their fields of intervention.

In Christchurch civil engineers have realised that explaining that a house, a street, a local school is unsafe is not enough. They have also to listen and consult with the people living in these buildings and locations before relocation can really move on. This is happening in some parts of the region. One innovative council in Kaipoi co-ordinates engineers, employment agencies, school principals and

psychosocial support in open consultation meetings with the local population to re-plan their suburb.

taking tiMe So some of the lessons learned are that we still need to plan long-term as opposed to only responding well in the immediate phase, we need to really put into practice how to enact the empowering, collaborative approach of active community participation in the recovery, and we need to budget for the recovery of people’s mental well-being and all that entails, not just the construction of their shelters and hardware.

Also, needs in disasters are sometimes overwhelming and conflicts of interests should be managed by a mediating governing/co-ordinating body that can work alongside a population in a creative way.

The recovery in Christchurch and Canterbury continues and so does the work of monitoring, adjusting, providing supportive literature and facilitating meetings and training. Part of this work is to take the essential time, so often left aside, to see what is working, what worked and how could we improve for the next time adversity strikes.

� National disaster response team trials in Auckland.

Maureen Mooney is a psychologist who has worked with psychosocial support in French Red Cross and internationally for 10 years. During a sabbatical in her home country New Zealand, she was asked to help analyse which psychosocial interventions works and how to plan for future disasters.

ALWAYS RED 9

War is not just a man’s business. In today’s conflicts the impact of fighting

on women can be severe. International humanitarian law recognises this in the general protections it affords to all civilians, as well as in some specific provisions providing additional protection to women.

Women &

War

Three women share their perspectives.


“When we pick up a newspaper or watch the news we are often confronted with some distressing pictures and stories of confl icts that are raging in the world. But often we just see one side and that is the man’s war concerned with tactics, military casualties and numbers, money, power and politics. We do not hear about the other side, the stories of women who keep their communities going despite the chaos that surrounds them. This is the story of most people affected by war, ordinary people just like you and me.

Like men, women experience war in a number of ways: as victims, as combatants or as promoters of peace. There is no ‘one’ way that women experience war. War is not easy for anyone and there are certain challenges the population has to overcome in order to survive, both physically and mentally. However there are particular kinds of risks that women and girls face. From being displaced from their families and homes to sexual violence or being locked up in detention facilities.

Across the world about 37 million people or the combined population of New Zealand, Australian and all of the Pacifi c Islands are currently displaced by war. About 70 per cent or 25 million of those displaced are women and girls. Women and girls are uprooted from their homes, schools, friends and their worlds, living on the very basics. Worse still is this number is growing by the day.

When emergencies strike life can change in an instant. Confl ict and natural disasters can destroy homes, communities and force people to fl ee or fi nd shelter often with little more than the clothes on their backs. Families and individuals can fi nd themselves without basic necessities from food and water to hygiene supplies and medical care.

It is common that family members become displaced, exposing further challenges to women because in certain cultures they cannot travel unless accompanied by husbands or male family members. Travelling over a huge distance, usually on foot, in

The global community needs to step up its investment in women.

International humanitarian law aims to prevent and alleviate human suff ering in war without discrimination based on sex. But it does recognise that women face

specifi c problems in armed confl ict, New Zealand Advocacy and Policy Manager Gabrielle Emery explains.

OTHER STORYthe

ALWAYS RED 11

harsh conditions with little food or water. Imagine taking that journey with a small child, pregnant or with a disability? And then upon arriving at a camp, life doesn’t get much easier. Women usually have to travel to collect fi rewood, water or rations and then there is the risk of being raped or suffering injury from landmines.

Women do not stop getting pregnant or having babies during times of confl ict. In fact, statistics show that pregnancies increase during times of armed confl ict as women can be cut off from their usual family planning services. Sexual violence and rape is sadly very common in humanitarian settings. The breakdown of societal norms and the complete chaos that over prevails means that women and girls vulnerability to exploitation and abuse increases. The physical and emotional impacts can be devastating and sadly victims are often thought to bring dishonour upon their families and communities, in some cases abandoned or a victim of honour killings.

Rape has now been recognised as a crime against humanity and is prosecutable under international law. Sadly, however, the complete breakdown of law and order domestically means that many perpetrators are not punished or be stopped from committing this kind of horrible act.

But women are not always passive victims of war, the reality is more and more are taking up arms and joining in the fi ghting. The assumptions that women are harmless and arouse lesser suspicions make them a preferred choice when it comes to transporting weapons, gathering intelligence or acting as suicide bombers.

However the tremendous diffi culties women continue to face in today’s confl icts do not arise because of gaps in the law, but rather because the law is not suffi ciently respected or enforced. Women’s rights, in many countries, are also not adequately respected. This is either due to cultural or religious reasons or because women and girls are not granted the same status as men.

Sustainable peace requires the full participation of women at all stages of the peace process—yet they have been largely excluded from formal efforts to develop and implement workable solutions. Their involvement in these mechanisms, which prevent confl ict, stop war, and stabilise regions damaged by warfare, is essential. The global community needs to step up its investment in women.

The world needs to invest in women because it is the right thing to do. I read an article recently about a Congolese woman who was raped in front of her children, her husband was murdered. And do you know what her biggest worry was? That her children would have hate in their hearts and when they grew up they would want to do this again. This mother has a better chance to heal her children than any international agreement and she needs to be supported in her quest to do this.”

There is no ‘one’ way that

women experience

war.

Women benefi t from the general protection afforded by international humanitarian law. Along with others they must be able to live free from intimidation and abuse. A specifi c protection for women also exists, primarily in respect to their health and hygiene needs and their role as mothers. The international community has also recognised the particular impact on women during confl ict and has passed Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which calls on the need to afford greater attention for women and girls during confl ict and long-term rehabilitation processes.

� Gabrielle Emery participating in the interactive side of the seminar.


“In 1980 I went to the Thai Cambodian border with a medical team and did my fi rst contract or mission as the French call it, with New Zealand Red Cross. That trip and the work I did was the start of my relationship with the International Red Cross Movement. In September of last year I returned from fi ve months in Libya based in Tripoli on the government side.

Look at the Canterbury earthquakes, can we imagine not having that support? And if we can, can we imagine what it must be like living in a country where there is ongoing confl ict. All the laws for example that are in place to protect you, in some places are no longer applicable. What rights do you have as civilians and especially as women?

As we know war has historically been considered a matter of concern for men only, but other civilians such as women, children and the elderly have always been at risk, or sometimes, as we unfortunately know, are specifi cally targeted as they are the most vulnerable.

In a war or confl ict situation women are either at home, in a place of detention or displaced

either internally in another town, with relatives or in a camp or as a refugee in another country.

Access to health care is a huge problem I have experienced often. Injured and wounded people not able to reach medical care because of frontlines, checkpoints, facilities have been destroyed or the doctors and nurses run away, often threatened, arrested or even killed because they have given medical care to the perceived wrong people!

There are no longer two sides of a confl ict, often there are three to four sides as seen in the Yugoslav confl ict in the 1990s, making it very diffi cult to negotiate on behalf of the victims. Another new development, especially with New Zealand Red Cross is that there is a lot more support for when one returns home from a confl ict area. And now after every mission

we go to see a psychologist. Before it was by choice but now there is an obligation. This acknowledgement by the Red Cross movement has been in place now for some years. It is not simply to catch us going “through a bad stage”and if they do then it is a good thing and stops us from going on another mission not prepared. It is simply an acknowledgement that stress can not only present itself as an acute episode but can accumulate over a period of time to form Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Out in the fi eld there are staff health postings in some areas, especially in Sudan. When a team in my offi ce were kidnapped in Darfur, both female expatriates who were unharmed were fl own to Switzerland for debriefi ngs. Overall there is much greater support for when security incidents happen in the fi eld.

Finally, I have been involved with Red Cross overseas for 31 years and there is defi nitely more good in the world but where I have worked it’s not always obvious. But it’s out there and when you take the time you will fi nd it amongst the many not so good things. I have been fortunate to have seen the best of humanity.

New Zealand Red Cross aid worker Judy Owen is a registered nurse and

shares what she has seen and also her experience working as a woman amidst war.

I have been fortunate to have

seen the best of humanity.

from the

INSIDE

ALWAYS RED 13

I am a kiwi, originally from Rwanda, and my story began on the 6 of April of 1994. That very fateful Wednesday evening changed the lives of every Rwandan. The president was murdered, which sparked a war between the two ethnic groups in Rwanda, and within a matter of hours a massacre began. Neighbours turned against each other, those who were friends were now killing each other. If one could have walked down the street of a Rwandan neighbourhood shortly after this devastation you would have found the wheels of a tricycle still spinning, the coffee still brewing on the stove, the doors left wide open, it was instantly obvious that whoever left the family home, left in a hurry, they left unprepared.

That is exactly what happened to my family and I.

I remember the day that we left our home, never to return, like it was yesterday.

That morning my parents crammed me, and my four other siblings, along with four other people who were with us at the time into a small car and left everything behind. As we were driving past our school, our church, friends’ and relatives; houses, the park where we use to play, no-one would have guessed in a million years that, THAT would be the last time we were ever going to see them for years to come. We thought we might be back in a few days, after all the violence had calmed down so we literally left with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We spent the next few weeks moving from home to home, city to city, country to country until we reached our new home New Zealand, almost two years after that fateful night.

When we were fl eeing, we didn’t know where we were going, and how long we were going for. My parents decided it would be better to travel separately so that if some us were killed, we wouldn’t all get killed together. This was really diffi cult for us. I remember on one occasion my parents sent me and my sister with my uncle to take us to our grandma’s house.

On our way, we were stopped at one of the many roadblocks and a man came to us holding a bloody knife in one hand and in another, a gun which he held to my sister’s head. It felt like an out of body experience, and I still don’t know what my uncle told the man so he could let us go but he spared us. On that Wednesday, my brother had gone to my auntie’s house, and for weeks we thought our brother, along with the family he was with, had been killed. We had people tell us that they saw his body on the road somewhere and others told us that they saw him in a car heading here or there! Fortunately, we were reunited with him about a month after the killings begun. It pained me watching the grownups cry like little kids, not knowing what to do, where to go and what to think. Not knowing whether you will be alive tomorrow or even in the next second.

Becoming a refugee when I was so young was hard – I had a lot of questions about what was happening around us, but few answers. During the process of fl eeing, I wanted to know why people were killing each other, and when were WE going to die mum? Why couldn’t we go home? Why was I only allowed one slice of bread per day? Why did we have to sleep on a single bed with six of our other cousins? At one point there were about 60 of us under one roof!

Marie Niwenkunda was ten when she fl ed Rwanda. As a woman she shares her personal story of being aff ected by war.

People get stronger from struggle and gain power from pain.

through the

EYES OF A CHILD

ALWAYS RED 15

my own country, that I have missed out on so much.

Like everyone else, I have many questions about what my future will hold. But having come here as a refugee which wasn’t a choice I made for myself, means my future will be shaped around being a refugee, being somewhere that isn’t home and this may mean losing a large part of my culture, my language and my first home I ask myself: Who will I Marry? If I had stayed in Rwanda, I almost certainly would have married a Rwandan. I can’t help but wonder what will happen to my mother tongue and if I have children will they ever get to know my beautiful home country. Being a refugee has made my future a blur. New Zealand is amazing in many ways, it’s safe it’s welcoming it’s everything a refugee would want. I sometimes worry that if I fully embrace New Zealand’s culture I might lose everything I had in Rwanda. So this internal conflict continues: Do I resist

fitting in? CAN I even fit in? But will the cost be my Rwandan identity?

Despite all this, I am determined to make the most of my situation. I am putting these questions on hold for the time being. I have worked hard, and have recently finished my degree in Accounting, which I imagine will give me the opportunity to consider a range of choices in the future. I am proud to call New Zealand my home now, but I do miss having people around me who are like me, who think like me, who look like me and who have had a similar background.

I sincerely thank the people and government of New Zealand who play an enormous role in restoring refugee hopes all over the world.

How do women survive all this? Women are resilient and they do not give up easily especially when they have people relying on them.

People get stronger from struggle and gain power from pain.

Remember that the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference. A smile, a hug or a listening ear can go a long way and that is what refugee services and Red Cross volunteers are all about.

a safe haven for my family, I still sometimes find myself thinking is this a dream? Or rather a nightmare that I cannot wake up from? It just feels so surreal. I often find myself wishing that things were different, that we were back home. If I could have my way, we would still be in Rwanda, the way it used to be pre-1994, because to be perfectly honest, there is nothing positive about being a refugee. but given the circumstances and that we ARE refugees, New Zealand has been nothing but an amazing adoptive home for us.

When I was younger, like most kids I didn’t think much about the fact that I was a refugee. I was oblivious to the fact, and was just busy being a kid and so it was very easy for me to make friends throughout my primary and high school years. I can’t say the same for my older sister though. She wasn’t as lucky, she came here during her teenage years it was extremely difficult for her to blend in at high

School, she was the very first black person at her school – she spent most of her lunch times in the bathrooms until the bell rang.

Can you remember when you were a teenager? You know how hard it was just trying to find out who you were, can you possibly imagine how hard it would be to flee your country at that age, leaving your childhood friends behind, your favourite food and most importantly your family!

The older that I get the more I realise what being a refugee really means. I can’t help but think of what life would have been like if the genocide had never happened. I sometimes feel lost, or like I don’t belong. However, this isn’t because of the people that surround me, but rather the people who aren’t around. My family, and fellow Rwandans. The fact that the Rwandan community in New Zealand is very small makes it difficult to adjust to life here. There are no more than 200 of us in New Zealand. And only 4 families, including ours, in Palmerston North. I can’t help but think that by not being at ‘home’, not being able to be surrounded by people from

We went through a traumatic experience. We have seen many things and have gone through things that some might never ever see in their lifetime. As I got older, I started to understand the situation a little bit more – but this didn’t make it any better – as we strongly believed, and still believe refugees are victims of injustice and inequalities. Being a refugee carries with it, a number of connotations, most of them negative and degrading. As if losing your home, watching your loved ones die, walking 500kms to find safety is not negative enough! There is an assumption that refugees are dirty, uneducated, poor, diseased ...well it doesn’t start that way. You are not a refugee because you are poor, but you can definitely become poor, dirty and sick because you have become a refugee.

From our experience I have come to understand that anyone can become a refugee. The refugee world -a world that once seemed so far from us - without knowing that tomorrow it would be ours – knows no colour, race, religion, gender or age, not even education or profession. It does Not Discriminate. Anyone can become a refugee. It is not who you were, or what you did that determines if you will be a refugee or not. Having a comfortable life did not prevent us from becoming refugees.

From the very first day, New Zealand has been nothing but a paradise for us. When we arrived in New Zealand in March 1996, there were people who made the transition and our resettlement a little easier and more pleasant and to this day we are still truly grateful. From our very first encounter with the Kiwi airhostess, to the volunteers who organised our first home, to the neighbour who came to introduce herself to us, the list goes on with people who gave us hope, hope that things might just be alright.

After our six weeks at the Mangere Refugee Centre, we made our way to Palmerston North. Volunteers had organised our home, with everything we needed plus more. We found the people of New Zealand to be so friendly and curious with so many questions trying to get to know us.

Although New Zealand has been

I still sometimes find myself thinking is this a dream? Or rather a nightmare

that I cannot wake up from?


Nanette Painton still remembers her first encounter with New Zealand Red Cross, vividly reciting the contents of a care package she received just after Victory in Europe day following the Second World War.

“I still remember that notepad and pen especially,” Nanette recalls. “I felt guilty as these packages we were sending to those on the front line, but the war was over and there were a few spares so I got one.

“We all had great respect for New Zealand Red Cross. I heard about them all the time, just an amazing organisation what they did for us during the war. You could say that package was my first real encounter with New Zealand Red Cross.

“Being war-time a lot of friends were prisoners of war and were cared for by Red Cross, we were all inspired by them.”

Moving to New Zealand in the early 1950’s it was not long before the director of New Zealand Junior Red Cross put Nanette on the payroll, working at its national office on Dixon Street in Wellington as a part time secretary.

A distressing effect of violence and natural disasters is misplaced and displaced people who are unable to communicate with family and friends. Red Cross provides a tracing service to reconnect those following war and disasters; today it is called restoring family links. Nanette’s fluency in German and French proved to be a valuable asset when it came to translating, what was then known as tracing letters.

“One day a letter came, it wasn’t my job to read them but no one could so I helped,” she says. “Funnily enough I knew the long-lost relative. They were both Jewish and were separated in a concentration camp during the war so it was amazing I could play my part in reconnecting a family.”

Nanette provided the home address and details reuniting two Austrian-Jewish sisters.

“It was fun, I rang her up and she was so excited. That tracing service is just wonderful.”

Nanette also recalls her strong involvement with junior Red Cross, of which her daughter later became a member.

“It was another great programme. One of our major tasks was to collect ten New Zealand stamps and send them to other national societies around the world,” she says. “It was our greeting from New Zealand.”

Nanette was also a driver for the former shut-in programme, where vulnerable people unable to get out of the house were taken to appointments or time was spent in companionship.

Soap, toilet paper, shampoo, note paper and pen made up a care package sent

66 years ago and the start of a 90-year-olds connection with New Zealand Red Cross.

� Nanette Painton still involved with New Zealand Red Cross.

A life for New ZeAlANd red Cross

“I did this for one lady even after I left New Zealand Red Cross as a staff member. Every Friday and Saturday for an hour I would walk to this lady’s house in Eastbourne and take her out in her late husband’s car.

“It was a wonderful thing Red Cross enabled us to give to someone – time. She didn’t have anyone else and we would often just go out for a cup of tea as it was her only chance in a week to get out of the house.”

But while still in Wellington Nanette boasts of her ability to fundraise. Securing the Roseneath and Oriental Bay suburbs in Wellington, Nanette and her volunteers frequently topped door to door collections “we were always the best”.

Hawkes Bay is now Nanette’s home. A member of the Havelock North Branch she was instrumental in creating sit-dancing for aged at Woodford Boarding school and retirement homes.

“The sit-dancing was a real eye opener for me, seeing these elderly people unable to get up come to life with music.”

At 90 years of age, Nanette is still proud to be involved with New Zealand Red Cross as a relief meals on wheels driver.

“I still love helping people and will for as long as I can – I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”

It was a wonderful thing Red Cross

enabled us to give to someone – time

ALWAYS RED 17

as i heAded for hAgley pArK to AtteNd the memoriAl serviCe to mArK the first ANNiversAry of the ChristChurCh eArthQuAKe KNowiNg i wAs to reCeive A speCiAl AwArd, i wAs Not sure whAt to eXpeCt.

I eventually found myself lining up with representatives from the other organisations which were also being recognised for their “fi rst response” efforts. There were about ten of us but I was the only woman, the only person not in a uniform, and the only recipient who was there as a volunteer rather than a staff member.

I felt so proud as I walked up the stairs on to the stage hearing Red Cross and my name being announced. The mayor greeted me with a warm handshake and the words “you people have done an amazing job”. I felt humble indeed to receive this very special award on behalf of all the people who had done so much. It was a moment during my term that will stay with me for a long time.

� New Zealand Red Cross National President Penny Mason receiving Red Cross’ award from Christchurch mayor Bob Parker.

red cross award

� Hundreds of people gather at Christchurch’s Hagley Park for one year anniversary of Christchurch earthquake.


Insi

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Public demonstrations against the Syrian regime began on 26 January 2011 and quickly

developed into a nationwide uprising. Protesters demanded the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, the overthrow of his government, and an end to nearly five decades of Ba’ath Party rule. The government deployed the army to quell the uprising.

Thousands have been killed or wounded, with those displaced by the conflict growing by the day. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) have remained one of the key humanitarian aid players, helping those affected by the fighting. But more needs to be done, as the ICRC continues to seek access to all conflict-stricken areas to respond to the effects of the fighting.

“As the fighting fluctuates, the ICRC and the SARC have to adapt their humanitarian response, in order to locate people who have fled and to help them as quickly and as effectively as possible,” said Béatrice Mégevand-Roggo ICRC head of operations for the Middle East.

“People have to know that they will get the help they need and that casualties will be taken care of regardless of where the fighting is taking place,” Ms Mégevand-Roggo explained.

“A daily pause of at least two hours in the fighting is essential in order to provide humanitarian assistance.”

The president of the International Committee of Red Cross Jakob Kellenberger visited Syria for the third time since 2011, to continue negotiations regarding humanitarian and detention issues.

Beyond discussing aid issues, Kellenberger will seek access to detention centres as well as examine practical measures for implementing the initiative for a daily two-hour cessation of fighting.

Syria oN-goiNg iNterNAl CoNfliCt rAges iN syriA with the impACt of fightiNg iNCreAsiNg humANitAriAN Needs.

“I am determined to see the ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent expand their presence, range and scope of activities to address the needs of vulnerable people,” he said in a statement on the two-day trip in early April.

When the president first visited Syria in June 2011 he had two demands. The first ICRC and SARC’s access to those affected by the conflict be widened, this was granted almost immediately.

The second was access to detention centres, this was not granted and instead shelved. This issue was reignited during Kellenberger’s second visit to Syria in September. Access to detention centres was granted under strict supervision.

“Visiting people who have been detained remains a priority for us,” Kellenberger says.

ICRC conducted its first visit to a detention centre in Syria on September 4 2011 and today that still remains the only visit made.

ICRC communication delegate Saleh Dabbakeh says there remains several issues that still need to be discussed. “There has been a lot of confusion and misunderstandings from both

sides, but we are still talking and it looks promising. All matters are still under discussion, it just needs more explanation about what we want or need to do.”

One positive development in recent weeks has been that the ICRC has obtained greater access to many of the areas affected by the unrest. Its staff are now able to stay longer in the field in order to gain a clearer understanding of people’s needs and to do its best to meet those needs.

“Syria is not Sudan, it’s not Somalia; it is a fairly advanced country. But they are in a pretty bad situation. There is blood in many areas, with violent fighting affecting a lot of people from both sides. Horrible atrocities are being committed, massacres. But both sides claim the other is to blame,” says Dabbakeh.

“Since February it has amplified, is more frequent and the extent of displaced populations has increased. Hundreds of thousands of families are leaving for safer places.”

“We (ICRC) have access where there has been trouble and fighting, but still we don’t have enough and we are looking at long-term, which is why the president is back for a third visit.”

� One of the hundreds of visitors to the mobile SARC clinic is examined by a volunteer doctor from the SARC. The authorities and local communities granted the medical team access to the city so they could carry out their work.

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ALWAYS RED 19

A walk down memory lane

Rakaia, known as the Salmon Capital of New Zealand, is a small rural community

set on the Canterbury plains 50 kilometers south of Christchurch. The township

of over 1000 people was established on the southern side of the Rakaia River

at its major crossing. Its historical association is writing the community history from

1850 to today. As part of this, each community group is sharing its own story to be

reworked into a book. Rakaia Red Cross member June Ferrand has given us a sneak

peak at New Zealand Red Cross’ history in the region.

World War II saw the offi cial start of Rakia Red Cross. On Friday 8 September 1939, fi ve

days after the declaration of war, a meeting held under the auspices of the Rakaia Women’s

Institute took place in the town hall, with the object of forming a New Zealand Red Cross

sub-branch. New Zealand Red Cross had only formed eight years earlier after the Napier

earthquake and the national organisation was still in its infancy, but it was growing. Methven

already had a branch by 1939 but the community of Rakaia knew that they could make an

active contribution to Red Cross’ war efforts.

In the packed Rakaia Hall the matter was resolved unanimously. A committee of nine was

immediately elected, the fi rst president being Mrs Ashford and fi rst secretary Mrs O Moon.

The fi rst general meeting took place shortly after on Monday 19 September and was

attended by many interested Rakaia residents. £3.17.6 was collected in subscriptions and

a 13/6 donation was received from the Women’s Institute (considerable sums of money in

those days).

First aid was the primary concern of the committee so classes were initiated in the Salvation

Army Hall on Mackie Street on 28 September at 7pm under the guidance of Rakaia doctor, Dr

Candy. By the 6 October, 100 people were enrolled in classes, there was £14.11.0 in the Post

Offi ce Bank and two Rakaia delegates were attending Mid Canterbury Red Cross meetings.

The fi rst Red Cross appeal came in December 1939; about the time when the fi rst troopship

left New Zealand. Old linen, sheeting, blankets, fl annel and also foodstuffs – raisins, biscuits,

cocoa, butter, and sweets – were asked for and the response was immediate. Army camps

were in place around the district and each Red Cross sub-branch took a turn at supplying

cake for the large Burnham camp and the smaller one in the Rakaia Domain. A local account

of the time shows £3 spent on groceries, and, of course, many of the basic goods were being

rationed, making baking a challenge! An interesting request was received for old raincoats

that could be cut into “holdalls” for the soldiers.

A shop next door to Mr Hardy’s store in Railway Terrace became the fi rst Red Cross depot

in Rakaia. It was open to the public several times a week to receive goods and to hand out

knitting wool and sewing materials. Knitting was a major activity for the Rakaia branch;

each soldier or airman leaving the district received a hand knitted pair of socks. Balaclavas,

scarves, and gloves were sent away in their dozens. Several ladies lent their sewing machines

to the depot and “hussifs” and “treasure bags” were made for the forces. Some clothing were

made too and an interesting note in an old minute book tells of a discussion as to whether it

was more sensible and economical to buy ready-made pyjamas or to make them….

Many cases went by sea to the British Red Cross for “homeless Londoners”; two large parcels

went to No. 1 Base Hospital in Egypt and many boxes were collected for refugees in Europe

or for Polish refugees here in New Zealand.

A Voluntary Aid Detachment was started in 1941. Medical lectures and training were

provided to young women, so they could give valuable help in an emergency. VAD had its

own commandant and offi cers, kept its own fi nances and raised money for its own activities.

Sadly, it had to be disbanded in 1943 because of the diffi culty in fi nding suitable lecturers

and new members.

d d


Raising money was always an important activity and the committee was creative with

their ideas. Copper trails (pennies and halfpennies), fl ag days, street collections and

street stalls and stalls at the big sports day gatherings in November all brought in cash. A

“Community Sing” with an auction of small goods to the value of 2/6 and the raffl e of a pair

of stockings was a great success. There were lots of dances and a bag of sugar was raffl ed

at one. In 1943 a fair brought in £605.10. Donations were frequent from Rakaia sports clubs

and service clubs; and the Rakaia Red Cross was successful in raising funds needed.

The money was spent on food parcels to the value of 10/- sent to soldiers, more especially

those in hospital or POW5 camps. These parcels contained cake, sweets, cigarettes,

condensed milk, dried fruit, and other comfort materials. Comforts were also given to

wounded soldiers passing through Rakaia by train or ambulance. Marmalade was sent to

Burwood Military Hospital. Hundreds of cans of tinned food were sent to the British Red

Cross. Stretchers, bed pans, bed linen and blankets were also put together for the proposed

new “Emergency Base” but the building never eventuated and resources were distributed

elsewhere.

Donations of money went to the Chinese Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent, Burwood

Hospital to buy a “spinal chair” and to Ashburton Hospital to fund therapy. Hanmer

Hospital also received donations for returned servicemen.

At the end of the war, membership fl agged and when the premises that was being used

for the depot was let for business, a new building had to be found. Meetings were held in

the library in Mackie Street, rented for 1/- a week. It proved to be money well spent as the

branch was allowed to bring across its stores of wool and materials and was even allowed

to hold its sewing afternoons there.

Rakaia Red Cross then worked mainly to answer appeals, as is the case today. Food,

clothing and money have gone to Biafra, Nigeria, CORSO, Germany (clothing), to fl ood

relief in England, Holland, Belgium, Hungarian Relief, and to the Rice Bowl appeal. A Polish

girl was sponsored under a Save the Children scheme.

The largest donation Rakaia Red Cross ever received was $1,000 from the patrons of the

Railway Hotel. In the accompanying letter the hotel proprietor, the late Mr Lester Tomlin,

requested the money be used for local needs. The committee endeavoured to do just that,

giving fi rst aid sets to various sports clubs, stretchers to clubs, blankets and neck braces to

the fi re brigade and a nebuliser to be kept at the local doctors’ rooms…..

In 2003 the Branch, as it became known, held a stall at the Barrhill heritage fair. Old-

fashioned Red Cross uniforms were worn and a most enjoyable and profi table day ensued.

Modern fundraising attempts have included two successful garden walks round prize-

winning Rakaia gardens and a large garage sale which brought in $900.

In 2011 the small group consists mainly of senior citizens who soldier on to carry out the

National Appeal, the Rose Day and the sale of lottery tickets and raffl es. Rakaia Red Cross

meets at the fi re brigade rooms bimonthly, and welcomes new members. Recently two

young women joined the group, adding a much needed touch of youth and technology

skills!

Even more recently money has been raised for the Christchurch earthquake and other

disaster areas with the support from the Rakaia community, through the sale of roses,

raffl es (including the Patron’s raffl e), an evening garden walk and afternoon tea served

by Elma Hobson. Local volunteers and community support ensure the on-going success

of this Red Cross branch. Activities like knitting, meals on wheels, street appeals, blood

banks, helping in the Ashburton Red Cross shop and fundraising remain the main focus

of the group.

The largest challenge facing Rakaia Red Cross now, as throughout New Zealand, is

encouraging more young members to join the organisation, to ensure its continuance in

future generations in Rakaia.

Many women have given notable service to Rakaia Red Cross. By their loyalty, commitment

and care for others, they have embodied the ideals of Red Cross and all it stands for. All

have been made Life Members of New Zealand Red Cross and one, Pat Duncan, has

received the QSM.

p

ALWAYS RED 21

wHY I sUPPorT red cross – HAnd wrITTen LeTTer


Red CROss

First of all we wish to express our thanks for your assistance, which came when we were still recovering from the very severe earthquakes in February and later in June and the many aftershocks. Anne as my full time carer was made redundant as a result of the earthquake with no redundancy.(we have just had another shake)

As with many people in Christchurch we had some damage – nearly all our crystal and china, computer desk, screen and external hard drive etc. Also the garage was declared unsafe and later demolished. Since then a number of cracks have been found by the assessors in the foundations and the ceilings and walls of several rooms. They checked our two chimneys and one was found to have severe cracks and was demolished to ceiling level. The flue was taken out and we had to get a plumber to replace it. So we were without any means of heating. EQC was very concerned that at my age of 95 years would suffer from the cold and arranged for a heat pump to be installed.

Unfortunately we were victims of a burglary like many people in the city and lost some money and several items. This is a most unfortunate happening of these times.

Hopefully the number of earthquakes will start to decrease and to zero level??? Fortunately we are in the green zone and we have great sympathy for those in the red zone and we look forward with rest of Christchurch to the re-build of the city and the return of normality. We close again by expressing our sincere thanks for helping us through the last winter.

stan and anne gardner are aMong the tens of thousands of people to receive a grant froM the new Zealand red cross 2011 earthquake

appeal, set up to help those affected by the canterbury earthquakes. the gardner’s, who received a winter assistance grant, say thank you.

Thank YOU

� Friend Dennis with Anne and Stan Gardner.

ALWAYS RED 23

Saying goodbye to a loved one in any circumstances can be hard. In situations of conflict, where people don’t know if they will ever see or hear from family and friends again, this can be devastating. This was the case when Isha Munya fled war torn Somalia in 1990 with her husband and five children and was forced to leave her eldest daughter, eight-year-old Faduma, in Somalia with her mother Akrabo.

‘Saying goodbye to her felt like my stomach was torn out,’ remembers Isha of the heartbreaking moment when she realised she had to be separated from her child. The only thing that made it easier was that Faduma was staying with Akrabo, whom she was very close to.

For eight years Isha lived in neighbouring Kenya moving between four different refugee camps. In 1998 she, her husband and their children, set off for Australia to start a new life in Adelaide, safe from conflict.

I felt relieved when I arrived here, it brought me inner happiness and peace. My children have an education and can get jobs,’ she says, still smiling.

However, Isha bore the burden of being separated from her daughter and mother.

When Isha said goodbye to Faduma, she had no idea when she would see her daughter and her own mother again.

Leaving them in war torn Somalia meant that staying in touch with them was going to be difficult. As the years past, Isha lost contact with her mother and Faduma.

‘It makes me cry when I think about it,’ says Isha.

In 2006, Isha contacted Red Cross in Adelaide and a case was opened to trace her daughter and mother. Through the Red Cross global network in 188 countries, people all over the world who are separated from loved ones by war, conflict or disaster can access the Red Cross restoring family links service to try and locate and send messages to people. Isha’s search was successful. Through the Red Cross Tracing service, she found Akrabo and Faduma, and they were able to send

messages of

BY Katie isaac AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

Separated from each other in war torn Somalia in 1990, Isha and her daughter Fadama had to wait 19 heartbreaking years to be reunited again in Australia. Isha continues to use the

Red Cross restoring family service to stay in touch with her beloved mother Akrabo, who still lives in a refugee camp in Kenya.

hope

‘It was the happiest day. The whole Somali community

went to the airport. We arrived an hour early we were so excited.’

Isha Munya remembers being reunited with her daughter

Faduma after 19 years.

each other messages. Eventually, in 2009, Faduma came to Australia and was reunited with Isha.

‘It was the happiest day,’ says Isha. ‘The whole Somali community went to the airport. We arrived an hour early we were so excited.’

‘It was so emotional, you could feel it in the air. I saw Faduma come off the plane. I couldn’t hold my tears back.’

Isha’s Red Cross case worker, Luci Lovelock, has helped Isha search for

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and communicate with her family members since Isha first came to Red Cross.

‘Isha is an amazing and inspiring woman who has endured such tragedy in her life. Still, she manages to smile everyday and has hope for her future,’ said Luci.

Today, Faduma lives near her mother in Adelaide, and is married with two young children of her own. All of Isha’s surviving children now live in Australia.

The sense of family and unity is very clear when being around Isha and her children. Hawa, who was a baby when they fled Somalia, is now a young woman and plays

with her nieces while her older sister Faduma chats with Isha. But there is one woman in Isha’s life missing from the scene.

‘I love my mother,’ says Isha, with sadness in her smile.

Last year Isha’s mother sent a photo through the service of herself and her husband, Isha’s father, who died in 2009. It was the first time she had seen a photo of them since she fled Somalia.

Isha gets excited and animated when she speaks about seeing the photo, and she dreams of the day she will be able to see her mother in the flesh.

Isha continues to communicate with Akrabo through Red Cross and hangs on to the hope that one day she will be able to give her mum a big hug and tell her, face to face, that she loves her.

� Isha and Munya fled war torn Somalia.restoring faMily linksRed Cross helps reconnect families separated by war, conflict or disaster through our global restoring family links service. By exchanging family news, re-establishing contact and clarifying the fate of the missing in 188 countries we provide peace of mind and hope to people who have been separated from their loved ones.

ALWAYS RED 25

improviNg the lives of vulNerAble people

www.redcross.org.nz

always red winter 2012

Documents

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