Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Mauritius Red Cross Society was established in 1973. It has been an auxiliary to the Government for five decades, assisting in response to hazard risks and disasters.
In its permanent partnership with the local authorities, the National Society pursues policy goals such as stimulating economic development and promoting social inclusion and community cohesion.
It designs strategies and action plans and encourages community cooperation during the delivery of wider strategies and programmes – with the aim of improving the quality of life for people living on the island.
The Mauritius Red Cross has prioritized disaster preparedness and risk reduction since 2005 and aligns its work with the objectives set out in the IFRC 2030 Strategy.
Its strategic aims are to build a strong and sustainable National Society that has a better impact at community level, and successfully carries out humanitarian advocacy; improve community resilience to natural hazards and climate-related disasters, focusing on disaster risk reduction; and improve the quality of people’s health and well-being by providing countrywide and local services that meet the population’s needs.
The National Society in Mauritius provides continual training and capacity building for its volunteers to ensure vital support and services are offered at community level.
In addition, it is committed to renewing its cyclone contingency plan to reduce the impact of this type of disaster. Seychelles Red Cross Society Number of staff: 8 Number of volunteers: 100 Number of branches 3
The Seychelles Red Cross Society was founded in 1989 and later recognized through the Seychelles Red Cross Act (1991) as an auxiliary to the public authorities in humanitarian services.
The National Society’s current strategic plan lays out several goals which aim to reduce vulnerability, losses, damage and other detrimental consequences due to disasters and crises; promote safe and healthy living and respond to health care needs in emergencies; and promote the practical application of the humanitarian Fundamental Principles and a culture of non-violence and peace.
The National Society in the Seychelles benefits from a strong network of volunteers. It has a policy of providing continual training and capacity building to maintain high standards in programme implementation, community engagement and support for the emergency sector – specifically health, climate change and disaster risk.
As an auxiliary to the Government, the National Society has developed a contingency plan, in line with the Government’s Communication and Response Plan, standard operating procedures and disaster management policies. It is also a member of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Committee of the Ministry of Health.
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