His Excellency the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, today commended the work carried out by the Fiji Red Cross Society in providing assistance during natural disasters.
As he launched the Society’s strategic plans for 2015 to 2019, the Head of State paid tribute to their work in Fiji. As a Patron of the Red Cross, he pointed out the significance of today’s event which was held at Borron House.
“The Society has done tremendous work over the last 5 years and we are proud of its achievements especially in the area of disaster response”, the President said. .
“Today's launch of the Fiji Red Cross Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2019 will take our work to a new and exciting stage. The new Strategic Plan builds on the framework of the previous plan, to make what has been done well, done even better, over the next 5 years,” Ratu Epeli said.
He said the plans also capture the local, regional and international trends and the emerging issues in the provision of humanitarian services.
“The Strategic Plan clearly defines the new vision, mission, core values and commitment that the society will pursue over the next five years. The new motto: “Always There", defines the society's commitment to communities and partners. It means that once a commitment is made to enter a community, we will never leave that community – and we will be “Always There,” he said.
Fiji Red Cross Society director general Filipe Nainoca said the strategic plans allows the Society to look at planning disaster management on a long-term basis.
“We live in an increasing complex and fast pace world. The growing intensity and extent of natural disasters is increasing and the level of response required, in most cases, is beyond the capacities of local organisations and governments,” Mr Nainoca said.
“The growing influence of climate change will only exacerbate these pressures. It is clear that our traditional methods dealing with disasters are inadequate and we cannot work alone if we want to meet the needs of those made vulnerable during disasters,” he said.