‘First Aid saves lives in everyday situations’
The Red Cross believes First Aid should be accessible to all, including the most vulnerable, and should also be an integral part of a wider developmental approach.
Director General of the Fiji Red Cross, Filipe Nainoca made the statement at the Lovu Housing Assistance & Relief Trust (HART) settlement in Lautoka on Saturday. The annual event was introduced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2000.
Mr Nainoca said every year, more than 100 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world organise activities on the second Saturday of September to raise public awareness of how First Aid could save lives in everyday situations.
“The International Red Cross works with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide to deliver skills, and the confidence to act when needed,” he said. “World First Aid Day (WFAD) promotes first aid knowledge and skills around the world, bring about the change we know needed to enhance, expand and improve first aid training as an act of humanitarian empowerment and a key component of building resilient communities.”
This year’s, theme is responding to “Domestic accidents”.
“Our focus (Fiji Red Cross) is to raise awareness and prepare individual households including women and children to better respond not only to accidents, but also create awareness and confidence amongst them while attending to different types of crisis,” he said.
“We cannot predict when someone suddenly falls sick or when an emergency may occur.
“It would be quite heart-wrenching if that someone is a family member and you are not able to help because you do not have First Aid knowledge.”
Mr Nainoca said it was therefore very important for each individual to understand the basics of First Aid.
This year, for the first time, the Fiji Red Cross in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Women conducted a training programme to market vendors in markets around Fiji. Market vendors around the country were able to broaden their knowledge and learn more about first aid.
“We are safer in our markets because there are vendors who know, understand and can apply First Aid,” he said.
Meanwhile Fiji Red Cross voluntarily offers First Aid Training sessions to private firms, stakeholders, schools and as well as public sessions.