Jamaica Red Cross timeline
SEVENTY YEARS ago, Judith DeCordova, OBE, founded the Jamaica branch of the British Red Cross. Since 1948, its members and volunteers have been a vital part of our country’s response to natural disasters, health promotion, care and support for the most vulnerable in our communities. We have gone through major natural disasters, but through working together and forging partnerships, we have been able to help build our country to be more resilient and responsive to change. The timeline below highlights some of the key events over the last 70 years of service to humanity.
THE 20TH CENTURY
In 1948, Lady Molly Huggins became the first president of the Jamaica branch of the British Red Cross Society. The main objectives at the time were the promotion of health, prevention of disease, mitigation of suffering throughout the world and international tracing (which is locating missing family members and/or friends). The junior section of the Jamaica branch of the British Red Cross started work in August 1948, focusing on health education, service to the community and the development of international friendship. The juniors started a magazine and the first issue was published in Christmas 1948. The first chairman of the Junior Red Cross was The Reverend Hugh Sherlock.
The primary activities of the new Red Cross branch included: Disaster relief and preparedness. Feeding programmes and distribution of basic items to the indigent, aged and infirm. Health education. Medical Loan Scheme (loan of wheelchairs, bedpans, crutches etc).
Training – courses in first aid, home nursing, water safety, leadership.
Junior Red Cross. Hospital visiting & libraries. Operating canteens in hospitals. Ambulance service.
Blood donor recruitment. Escort service – assisting migrating families.
On August 17, 1951, the Hurricane Charlie response became the first emergency relief work by the Jamaica Branch of the British Red Cross. During the hurricane, the branches across the island worked together to provide relief to those affected and formed a partnership
with the Jamaica Amateur Radio Association, which maintained communication with the outside world until normalcy was restored. Red Cross Jamaica provided shelters, clothing, and food during and after the hurricane.
In 1953, Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited Jamaica, and at the State reception, the chairman of the Junior Red Cross, Hugh Sherlock, was in attendance. The Junior Red Cross members participated in the Children’s Rally at Sabina Park, one of the events organised by the Government for the visit as a gift to Her Majesty the Queen.
In September 1957: A terrible train wreck occurred near Kendal Station and the Manchester group responded and assisted as needed.
January 21, 1960: The Montego Bay group responded to the Avianca Plane crash. A statement by the Red Cross Jamaica director read: “The survivors were few, but the Red Cross group in Montego Bay were asked and gladly consented to assist and supply all necessities towards their immediate material comfort and at the same time to inspire them with the feeling that willing friends exist.” (Verna Clarke – director). There were 37 fatalities. Only five crew members and four passengers survived.
March 8, 1960: The Princess Alice Hostel was visited by Her Royal Highness Princess Alice and on the 12th, the Red Cross headquarters was inspected by the distinguished visitor before her departure to England. Her Royal Highness was accompanied by Lady Blackburne, then wife of the Governor of Jamaica and president of the Jamaica Branch of the British Red Cross Society, and was met by the members of the executive committee and parish representatives.
During 1960: the Princess Alice Hostel was increased to accommodate 24 additional children, bringing the total to 63 children. This was as a result of the kind contribution of Sir John Golding. The hostel was later called the Athlone Wing, which was
enjoying equal status and responsibilities as the other member societies of the federation.
On June 12, 1979, western Jamaica was left in ruins after flood rains and Jamaica Red Cross assisted with the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. The Jamaica Red Cross received Exceptional Award from the Government of Jamaica for the work in flood rains operations.
In 1983, the national society participated in the First-World Meeting of Volunteers of the Red Cross, held in Mexico City, Mexico.
The national society held its first Special Long Service Awards Presentation at Kings House. Over 200 Red Cross volunteers were honoured for their consistent, devoted service to the society.
On October 30, 1983, the Jamaica Red Cross Society had a service of rededication and thanksgiving in commemoration of 35 years of service in Jamaica at the Kingston Parish Church.
In 1984, the National Society assisted refugees from Cuba and Haiti with the support of UNHCR.
1988 was a year of several disasters from large numbers of fires, floods – and the largest relief operation in the history of the national society with Hurricane Gilbert. Food, tarpaulins, mattresses, hygiene kits, utensils and other much-needed items were distributed, and houses were built for persons who were left homeless. The hurricane ravaged the entire island and the help needed was enormous. The Jamaica Red Cross was given Exceptional Service Award by the Government of Jamaica for service after Hurricane Gilbert.
On November 29, 1989 the national society held an awards ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Jamaica Red Cross Society at Kings House. The Distinguished Services Award was presented to then Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole in recognition of his distinguished services and support to the Red Cross in his capacity as patron.
In 1992, the Jamaica Red Cross acquired its present headquarters at Central Village, St Catherine.
In 1996, the National Society received the Gold Award for ‘Together We Can Activity Kit’ from Washington Express for the HIV & AIDS Peer Education Training Programme developed here and used across the world.
In 1998 - A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by ICRC and the Government of Jamaica (the first with a government in the English-speaking world)
JRC started the School of Transformation for at-risk youth who had fallen out of or never entered the formal school system. The programme ensures that the participants get quality education and opportunity to become active productive citizens.
March 12-14, 1998, the Jamaica Red Cross hosted the first Caribbean Presidential Summit at which the Caribbean Disaster Development Fund was launched.
THE 21ST CENTURY
In 2002, our president, Carole Powell received the Gold Medal of Spain, and Director General Yvonne Clarke received national award – the Order of Distinction.
December 2007 – Publication of Helping to Heal – A Training Manual addressing psychosocial issues.
In 2009, Jaslin U. Salmon, then president of the Jamaica Red Cross was elected vice president of the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) at the General Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.
Publication of Psychosocial Support for Children in Emergencies: A Training Manual and Toolkit for Professionals – supported by UNICEF & ODPEM
JRC hosted the Caribbean Domestic Violence & Gender Equality Conference
In 2012 A gap analysis study of International Disaster Relief Laws was executed and published.
In 2013 Jamaica Red Cross Hazard and First Aid Apps were introduced.
Psychosocial support provided by JRC post local disasters and also in several other Caribbean territories.
Development of several policies to guide the operations and development of the society.
2017 - Former President Carole Powell received from the government of Jamaica The Quality Award for pioneering service to the modern TVET system in Jamaica 2017.
As an example of the volume of assistance provided by JRC after emergencies, mention is being made of a selected few events named below:
Following the impact of Hurricane Dean in 2007 JRC took action as follows:
Provided food packages for 5,587 families (approximately 20,000) people. Provided 8,026 Tarpaulins/ 4,043 Jerry cans/7,859 six packs of bottled water/1,402 kitchen kits. Provided 2,775 hygiene kits/ 349 mattresses/ 102 rolls of plastic sheeting/1,276 buckets. Repaired damaged houses and rebuilt for those who lost their homes.
Following the civil unrest of 2015 :
$1,378,295 was disbursed via Micro Economic Initiative to persons who lost their livelihood.
35 persons given medical attention.
59 persons psychosocial support. 581 food packages delivered. 17 hygiene and kitchen kits distributed.