Red Crescent sets up team on humanitarian aid and disaster relief

Syazwana Souyono

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

 

Monday, March 24, 2014

A HUMANITARIAN Aid and Disaster Relief Team (HADRT) was launched yesterday with the appointment of its first 13 members.

The squad, under the Brunei Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), comprised members from higher institutions, government and private agencies.

Members who are already working make up the frontline team and will lead medical services in disaster situations and humanitarian projects, said the BDRCS Director of Communications Ya-Aneta Hj Mohd Yusuf.

She is also one of the senior officers of the newly-launched team.

All members are above 18 years old and have been identified as those who are committed to the cause, Ya-Aneta said.

Each of them have undergone various training programmes carried out by the society. They will undergo more theory and practical training to enhance their knowledge and skills, she added.

The launching of the HADRT squad was held simultaneously with the Rank Commissioning Ceremony for 20 national executive board members of the BDRCS.

Present as the guest of honour was the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sports YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair (L), fastening the rank insignia to one of the members of the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Team in a ceremony at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday. BT/Saiful Omar

The event also featured the presentation of a Toyota INNOVA, a donation from NBT Sdn Bhd to BDRCS to be used as an ambulance.

 

Minister of Culture Youth and Sports YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair (R), presenting the mock key to President of the BDRCS, Hj Julaini Hj Abd Latip (L), during the Rank Commissioning Ceremony for 20 national executive board members of the Brunei Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and 13 official members of the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Team (HADRT) at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium. BT/Saiful Omar

The newly-appointed president of the BDRCS, Hj Julaini Hj Abd Latip, in his welcoming remarks said that the society is currently in discussion with the Co-curriculum Department at the Ministry of Education about opening a unit of the Red Crescent Society for primary schools.

 

 

 

Currently, 90 per cent of the society is made up of youths studying in secondary and higher institutions.

The president also commended the synergic dynamics between the new executive board and the members since their appointment in December, with the aid offered to the National Disaster Management Centre during the recent floodings in Tutong and Belait District and the medical services provided during the 30th National Day Celebration.

The BDRCS has actively participated in activities hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

 

Brunei will play host to the 13th South-East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent Leaders Meeting in 2016.

 

 

Some of the red crescent members attending the ceremony yesterday. BT/Saiful Omar

The Brunei Times