This beacon has shone brightly
CONGRATULATIONS ON this the 70th anniversary of the Jamaica Red Cross Society! By any parameter, this is a remarkable achievement and one which we are honoured to join you in celebrating.
Founded in 1948 as a branch of the British Red Cross, and later recognised as a national society post Jamaica’s Independence, you have consistently provided key services to the people of Jamaica; responding to local situations and adapting to global trends, steadfastly guided by and continuously disseminating the fundamental principles of our noble movement. As we mark the 190th birthday of Henri Dunant, we can proudly say that this beacon in Jamaica has shone brightly since its inception.
The Jamaica Red Cross has established itself as an organisation that has consistently delivered, through its volunteers and staff, relevant countrywide services to vulnerable people in a sustained and evidence-based way. With humble beginnings in the delivery of services primarily in first aid, youth, meals on wheels and disaster relief, the national society has been a leader in humanitarian response at pivotal moments in the nation’s history. This included its advocacy for the creation of the national disaster office (ODPEM). From being a pioneer in the response to HIV and AIDS in 1982, to mobilising some 2,500 volunteers to support the national response to the devastating Hurricane Gilbert in 1988; to identifying and providing support for the psychological well-being of persons affected by Hurricane Ivan in 2004; also caring for over 130 Haitian immigrants during that same year; and continuing to demonstrate leadership, strengthened capacity, and increased relevance in the areas of needs assessment, provision of relief, and support to rebuilding efforts during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Your provision of neutral and independent humanitarian services also led you to gaining access to west Kingston during the crisis that unfolded there.
Over the years, Jamaica Red Cross has demonstrated its dedication to high standards of
strategic positioning in maximising its auxiliary role, promoting and representing international disasterresponse laws, and fulfilling its humanitarian mandate through continuous development of your national society as an institution that is fit for purpose.
Houston commitment Number Four compels us to “Ensure relevant and sustainable community-based activities and services through leadership that assumes responsibility for national society development, preserving its integrity as well as planning, resource generation, and the management of financial and human resources and assets”.
FOSTERING STRONG NATIONAL SOCIETIES
As a federation, we are committed to fostering strong national societies, built on the priority areas of leadership, accountability, and transparency, financial sustainability, volunteer, and youth development, risk management, and information and knowledge management. Going forward, we face a world of increasing threats; we see unprecedented increases in crime and violence, extreme weather patterns leading to frequent disasters due to climate change, protracted and new outbreaks in epidemics, and the growing impact of noncommunicable diseases, among others. We remain best placed to respond to evolving trends in the humanitarian landscape, and must continue to harvest the strength of and diversify our volunteer base.
National societies such as the Jamaica Red Cross provide hope, dignity, and relief to those who need it most, and continue to provide lifesaving knowledge, access to services, and skills to local communities, in accordance with our Roadmap to Resilience.
As your federation undertakes the redefining of its strategic directions for 2030 through the Futures and Foresight process, it is imperative that there is continued focus on organisational development as a keyenabling factor for the Jamaica Red Cross: that it is values and community-based; that it strives for greater impact; that it is learningbased and quality-focused; that it strives for increased efficiency, sustainability, and accountability; and that it continues to build and maintain partnerships with others. Also, the future of the Jamaica Red Cross rests with decisive and effective leadership development and strengthening. This leadership should be one that embraces change, is open to diversity, and creates the space for youth to develop and thrive.
As you celebrate your success in serving the people of Jamaica for 70 years, it is an opportune time to reflect on your challenges and how you have overcome them, your successes and how you have documented and shared them, your lessons learned and how these have guided your growth, and your impact and how this has saved lives and changed minds.
Congratulations once again from your Country Cluster team in Port of Spain, Trinidad; your regional office in Panama City, Panama; your global headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and from your 190strong wider federation family. May you continue to serve Jamaica with distinction and pride. Happy 70th year of contributing to building Jamaica!
JOSEPHINE SHIELDS RECASS Head, Country Cluster Support Team