What is a volunteer?

A typical Red Cross or Red Crescent Society today depends on volunteers for its leadership and its service delivery, although staff also plays an important role in helping to run the organization and its services. Indeed, several National Societies also run institutions such as hospitals which are based entirely on paid staff.

However, it is the huge network of volunteers which make any National Society what it is. Today, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has about 97 million members/volunteers. The definition of what constitutes a volunteer or a member may vary from country to country, as does the level at which these people are involved. The Federation’s definitions are outlined in Volunteering policy adopted in 1999.

Most countries have a traditional understanding of what volunteering means, deeply rooted in their history and traditions, and very much a reflection of cultural values. It varies, therefore, from country to country, and it is also changing over time as societies change.

What volunteering involves, and how it is organized, depends on the economical situation of the country and of the educational level and work experiences of the population in general. In North America and West Europe, for example, volunteering is based on the dominant middle class. In Africa and Eastern Europe, where there is almost no middle class, volunteering is organized in other ways.

What role do volunteers play?

At the local level, Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers are at the heart of activities to assist vulnerable people. Working under a volunteer group leader, service volunteers are usually assigned to a specific task. This could be fund-raising, first aid, driving ambulances, running a help-line telephone service, food distributions, disaster preparedness, visiting old people, to name but a few, depending on the needs in the community. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of different tasks taken on by local groups all over the world.

Service volunteers are usually recruited to well-structured volunteer services which are developed and managed by volunteer and/or programme managers. However, front line service volunteering can also be done by self-managed groups of members or by vulnerable people organized into self-help groups. Which form is best depends on the   situation and several forms can coexist in a National Society.

At the leadership level, volunteers also play a key role, and the president of a National Society is often a volunteer. Volunteers who are members of governing boards are responsible for the work and behavior of the organization and attend general assemblies to adopt statutes and decide on major policies and future work. They can be board members at the local, regional or national level, and can be elected to committees.

Lawyers, fund-raisers and public relations professionals are among those who help the National Society as expert volunteers at local, regional or national level.

“Protecting human dignity” was chosen in 2003 as the theme and overall goal of the federation, and as the slogan for Red Cross Red Crescent activities worldwide, in response to the increasing threats to human dignity.

The conference, its declaration and the Agenda for Humanitarian Action which it endorsed, focused on two main ways of contributing to the protection of human dignity: enhancing respect for the relevant laws and reducing the vulnerability of populations to the effects of armed conflicts, disasters and diseases.

Put simply, “protecting human dignity” is about promoting respect for each and every human being, in a spirit of solidarity, irrespective of their origins, beliefs, religions, status or gender. The declaration highlighted specific commitments undertaken by the participants of the conference (components of the Movement and States) – namely:

1.0     reaffirming and applying the principles and rules of international humanitarian law

2.0     increasing respect for humanitarian principles and values,

3.0     to promoting tolerance, non-discrimination and respect for diversity among all peoples

All three of these are directly relevant to the core area of Promotion of the Movement’s Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values. The first commitment is related to both “Principles” and “Values” – while the seven Fundamental Principles can be seen as expressing the essence of International Humanitarian Law, the concept of “humanitarian values” captures the spirit that led to the creation of this body of law.

The second commitment is a simple and clear endorsement of the need for increased respect for humanitarian principles and values. The third is directly linked to the current area of focus of the Federation’s work in reducing the discrimination. Since 2001, the Federation has been promoting the values of humanitarian, working with National Societies in various ways to find ways to tackle discrimination in all its forms.

The declaration itself can also be seen as an expression of the Fundamental Principles. Echoing the movement fundamental principles, it calls on States and components of the Movement to protect the dignity and prevent suffering and distress to civilians and combatants by upholding international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law, to work together to reduce the disproportionate risk faced by vulnerable people towards the effects of disasters and infectious diseases.

Lastly, in response to the increasing attacks on humanitarian workers, the declaration reaffirms the responsibility of States to respect the Movement’s adherence to all of its Fundamental Principles, “in order to provide impartial, neutral and independent protection and assistance for all those most in need”, and the responsibility of the Movement to cooperate with States.

The protection of human dignity is a central point around which many distinct but complementary factors are joined. These include the Fundamental Principles, humanitarian values, international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law; they also include the International Conference itself, and the humanitarian activities of those who attend it.

The specific threats to human dignity tackled in the conflicts represent some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges facing the world today. By working together, the combined efforts and influence of these factors above will lead to greater protection against these threats.

Malaysian Daily News 21 June 2010

Malaysian Daily News 21 June 2010

1. FA & Ambulance Standby for Ko Perkasa AGM at Dewan Suarah Sarikei.

2. FA Standby for Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Bahagian Sarikei at Sarikei Sport Complex

Look carefully at these photos. These are some of the mechanism of head & spine injuries for MVA.

When handling MVA cases, always remember that you don’t move the victim out of the vehicle unless situation became dangerous or suitable equipments with trained personnel are ready for the extrication.

For your own safety in the car, remember these few precaution to reduce risk of head & spine injury during MVA:

1. Raise up your head cushion in line with your head

2. Wear safety belt

3. Drive safely with controllable speed

4.Check your car constantly which include tires, brakes and etc

5. Buy cars with higher safety ratings (http://www.ancap.com.au/)

By TENG TP