International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Botswana Red Cross Botswana Red Cross SocietySociety
Botswana Chamber of Mines MeetingBotswana Chamber of Mines Meeting
1010thth May 2012 May 2012
Presentation by:Presentation by:
Mr. Titus L. MakoshaMr. Titus L. MakoshaDeputy Secretary GeneralDeputy Secretary General
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS...
The Botswana Red Cross Society(BRCS)established as an independent society by an
Act of Parliament of the Republic of Botswana in 1968 as an International requirement from the Geneva conventions (N.B: National Society status).
The National Society was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) in February 1970 and was admitted as a member of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (now the Federation) in 1971.
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS cont...
According to the Act, BRCS plays an auxiliary role to Public Authorities in humanitarian services ( this means the Government including Local Authorities). ‘The Society is hereby recognized as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to public authorities both for the purpose of the Geneva Conventions and otherwise and shall have the right in conformity with the Geneva Conventions to use the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white ground, formed by reversing the Swiss Federal colours.’’
The Geneva convention and International Humanitarian Law, dictates that Humanitarian service is a direct responsibility of government, and therefore BRCS is only playing a supplementary role.
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Background of BRCS cont...
BRCS previously survived through funding from International donors, but since the classification of Botswana as a middle income country donors have since pulled out.
The support from local partners is therefore very important for BRCS continued survival
There is need to review and assess the relevance of the National society and its auxiliary status for possible collaboration with various humanitarian arms of government, hence the objective of this presentation
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
But what and who is Red Cross?
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
A long time ago ……
One battleOne manOne idea
STORY OF AN IDEA
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
18591859
a battle...a battle...
... a man... a man
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesYEAYEA
RR EVENTEVENT
18518599
Henry DunantHenry Dunant, a businessman, travels , a businessman, travels to to SolferinoSolferino (Northern Italy) to seek (Northern Italy) to seek support for his business which was not support for his business which was not doing so well.doing so well. On the way, finds Austrian army in battle On the way, finds Austrian army in battle with armies of Francewith armies of France 40,000 dead and wounded across the 40,000 dead and wounded across the battlefield. Military medical services non-battlefield. Military medical services non-existent. Doctors and nurses considered existent. Doctors and nurses considered combatants.combatants. With the help of women from nearby With the help of women from nearby villages, HD tried to help the wounded villages, HD tried to help the wounded regardless of their uniform and/or regardless of their uniform and/or nationalitynationality "MEMORY OF SOLFERINO":- spurred by "MEMORY OF SOLFERINO":- spurred by the need to ensure that the terrible the need to ensure that the terrible sufferings witnessed never occurred again.sufferings witnessed never occurred again.
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
One book...One book...
... two ideas... two ideas
creation of volunteer medical services to help wounded on the battlefield
an international agreement to protect the wounded and all those attending them
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies
1919
The International Conference of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent
Every 4 year
States parties to Geneva
Conventions
National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies
The International Committee of the
Red Cross
1863
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
THE EMBLEM
1864 – Red Cross
1876 – Red Crescent
2005 – Red Crystal
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
7 Fundamental Principles Humanity Impartiality
Neutrality Independence
Volunteerism Unity Universality
Our mission
Principles of behaviour
Organizational Principles
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF RED CROSS IDEA TODAY
TODAYS BATTLES INCLUDE: HIV/AIDS AND OTHER HEALTH PANDEMICS DISASTERS CLIMATE CHANGE FOOD INSECURITY DISABILITIES
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF BRCS
To bring help and relief to all victims of disasters whether natural or man-made and/or to protect such victims from the effects the disasters howsoever caused;
To carry on and assist in the work aimed at the improvement of health, prevention of diseases, reduction or elimination of suffering throughout the world.
To support the government in their humanitarian tasks according to the needs of vulnerable people
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
BRCS STRUCTURE
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
BRCS Programmes
Information Dissemination and Tracing Branch development Youth development Disaster management First aid Health and HIV/AIDS Rehabilitation for people with
disabilities Refugee health and social services in
collaboration with UNHCR.
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
CROSS CUTTING AREAS OF RELEVANCE
DISASTER MANAGEMENT: It is one of the key competency areas of the RC movement
HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN: BRCS has piloted models such as the “Bonkgonne” which can assist communities better address OVC
Community Based Rehabilitation: the rehabilitation of People with disabilities is the portfolio responsibility of the Council and BRCS has competencies in this area, from which the Council can resource. BRCS is operating Centres for people with disabilities
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
AREAS OF RELEVANCE TO MINING INDUSTRY
FIRST AID: It is a very important skill that can save lives especially during accidents and it is a key competency area for BRCS.
BRANCH DEVELOPMENT: Red Cross functions through well trained volunteers within communities that are also a strong target beneficiary of the mines CSI programmes. There could therefore be a Win-Win partnership where mines discharge their CSI programmes through RC volunteer base, which is likely to be more efficient in terms of costs and effective in terms of outcomes as volunteers better understand community circumstances while RC has mastered the art and developed tools of touching the souls of needy
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Requested Resolutions
The BCM is requested to Consider and Approve partnership with BRCS in the following areas:
Support to Community Based First Aid including branch and divisional first aid competitions
Support for the establishment and training of Disaster Response Teams with emphasis on BRCS branch volunteers
Extend administrative, technical and financial support to RC divisional structures in the respective districts/divisions
International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
ATTENTIVENESS
LE KA MOSO…