Sustainability planning with Pacific Island National Societies
Support on an international scale
The 3 main ways we respond internationally:
Whilst we know that a local response is always the first and recommended approach, we are in an ever-changing world where the humanitarian needs from disasters and conflict are increasing in scale and complexity. A humanitarian crisis can happen anywhere in the world, and Red Cross National Society partners are well positioned to respond. However, sometimes additional assistance or specific skills are needed. It’s at these times our international Movement is ready to mobilise and support from across the world. Thanks to your investment, when the call for help comes, Australian Red Cross is set up and ready to respond rapidly to requests for international assistance from our Partners. This could be to anywhere in the world and could range from providing bare essentials: a tarpaulin to keep out the rain, soap and toilet paper to maintain dignity, through to on the ground support for more long- term solutions: a safe supply of drinking water, homes designed to withstand cyclones, or helping to find lost loved ones. Thanks to your support, at Australian Red Cross we can support anywhere in the world affected by emergencies, crisis and conflict. From cash assistance, to aid workers, shelter, First Aid and psychosocial support, plus much more - you are helping to mobilise humanitarian resources that help alleviate suffering and provide support to people who urgently need it the most.
In April of this year, Adrian Prouse, Head of International Programs, represented Australian Red Cross at a delegation of Pacific Island National Societies and other funding partners from across the Movement. Alongside Australian Red Cross, seven Pacific Island National Societies attended - Kiribati, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Tonga and Palau, along with New Zealand and American Red Cross, the ICRC and the IFRC. The attendees gathered over three days to discuss and progress ideas and designs for the next five years, which will forge a path for Pacific National Societies to become self-sustaining. Given they operate in relatively small economies, often reliant on tourism, the ability to generate the income required to sustain their organisations is challenging. “The core costs of running a Red Cross National Society in the Pacific decides the basic capacity of the Society. None of us are financially sustainable, but with the support of IFRC and our partner National Societies through this core cost and financial sustainability initiative, we are able to sustain local capacity, keep our doors open, and continue to serve our respective communities,” Fine Tu’itupou-Arnold, Secretary General, Cook Islands Red Cross.
This is why this program doesn’t just focus on covering the gaps of a Pacific National Society’s costs, it also supports their income generating activities. Examples include commercial First Aid training programmes, Tuvalu’s Kitchen Garden Café and the Solomon Islands’ Kaikai Haus Cafe. The ultimate goal is to for the Societies to be financially sustainable, to be able to independently meet the needs of their community. Through this ongoing initiative Pacific Island National Societies are now acquiring knowledge and using systems to exceed national and international standards to generate income. They now have more robust financial management and transparency frameworks - annual plans and budgets, annual account auditing, and evaluation reporting. Everyone is keen to build on these achievements. “The core cost and financial sustainability initiative represents the best of our global to local Movement. It recognises that first responders have genuine costs associated with having a workforce ready to respond before, during and after a disaster or crisis while also recognising that their long-term sustainability is the ultimate goal. This program has been described by participants as: ‘the most useful multi-partner solution to an ongoing problem in decades.” Adrian Prouse, Head of International Programs, Australian Red Cross Your investment enables us to work with, and support, our Pacific partners helping them become more sustainable and better placed to be there for their communities.
Human Resources support Through the deployment of Australian delegates (aid workers) to where they’re needed most. They could be on the ground in as little as 48 hours after the call comes. Funding Through the provision of funds to Emergency Appeals or via other funding mechanisms that will support National Society activities. Relief stock At the request of the IFRC or National Society we can rapidly freight Red Cross relief items across the Pacific region.
Our international work reflects the work we do with Australian and Asia-Pacific communities every day: helping people cope with disasters and personal crises, and promoting humanitarian values and international humanitarian law.
Emergency support in reverse When disaster strikes here in Australia, it’s comforting to know our humanitarian partners are equally ready and prepared to come to our aid. In fact, during the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, we received support and funding from 34 National Societies such as America, France, Taiwan, Mongolia and Tuvalu.
Every year, around 600 natural and man-made disasters cost the world $250- $300 billion and affect more than 100 million people. 1
$5,691 could provide warm
$11,674 could support the cost of investigations to trace people who are missing during conflict.
$124,255 could support the cost of an International Response Team to coordinate Australian Red Cross’ support for crises and disasters around the world.
blankets for 75 families who are seeking shelter from a disaster or conflict.
8 Adrian Prouse, top row, fifth from left, with representatives from Pacific Island National Societies and funding partners.
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1. World Disasters Report 2014, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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