Brunei Red Crescent Society invites public to donate blood on Sunday

Friday, May 9, 2014

THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) invites all members of the public to come and donate blood between 10am and 12pm this Sunday at Times Square in Berakas.

“(You) don’t have to be donors, but you may convince your family members, your colleagues or your friends to come on Sunday to bleed for a good cause,” said the BDRCS, in a press statement.

The BDRCS blood donation programme, titled “A Pledge of 100 Pints of Blood to Save Life”, is organised in conjunction with World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, as well as the 66th anniversary of the BDRCS.

Themed “Together for Humanity”, this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day highlights the importance of partnership in handling humanitarian relief efforts.

BDRCS first began as the Brunei Red Cross Society in 1948 (under the administration of the British Red Cross), but changed to become the Brunei Red Crescent Society after the country’s independence in 1984.

Currently, BDRCS has over 1,000 members, a majority of whom are secondary students.

In addition to providing first aid services, BDRCS also provides health advisory services, first aid training at the youth, professional and community level.

The society also actively conducts various awareness campaigns about road safety, healthy living, international humanitarian laws, and diseases. – Amanda Yap

The Brunei Times

Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah anjur kempen derma darah

Oleh:  Siaran Akhbar 

SERASA, Ahad, 11 Mei. - Sempena Sambutan Hari Palang Merah (Red Cresent) dan Bulan Sabit Merah (Red Cross), Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Negara Brunei Darussalam dengan kerjasama Pusat Pendermaan Darah, Hospital Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) menganjurkan kempen derma darah, bertempat di Times Square, Berakas, di sini.

Hadir selaku tetamu kehormat ialah Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Perubatan, Kementerian Kesihatan, Dr. Haji Zulaidi bin Haji Abd Latif.

Dengan adanya kempen seperti ini adalah diharapkan agar dapat menyumbang kepada simpanan stok darah di Hospital RIPAS yang boleh menyelamatkan nyawa para pesakit-pesakit yang memerlukannya dengan menetapkan sasaran kutipan darah sebanyak 100 pain darah.

Turut hadir pada majlis pagi ini ialah, Presiden Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah, Haji Julaini bin Haji Abd Latif, ahli-ahli persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah dan pegawai serta kakitangan Pusat Pendermaan Darah.

- via Pelita Brunei Online. Wednesday, 14 May 2014.

Blood donation tomorrow at Times Square

THE public is invited to take part in a blood donation drive at Times Square, in Berakas, tomorrow. From 10am to noon, members of Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society will assemble for the “100 Pints Blood Pledge to Save Life” campaign, along with 100 volunteers. The society is encouraging people from all communities to help make a difference as part of the society’s 66^th anniversary.

 

- Borneo Bulletin, Saturday 10 May 2014.

ICRC: Making lives better for 150 years

 

A member of the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society in uniform. BT file

 

Hong-Yii Phoon

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

 

THIS May 8, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, come sit and read about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, otherwise known as the ICRC or just the Red Cross, and what this day is all about.

 

Perusing its history reveals that, first, it was founded in 1863, and secondly it’s not one standalone organisation. It's a conglomerate of organisations and societies united by a set of principles designed to facilitate their goal of providing humanitarian aid to all regardless of race, ethnicity, religious beliefs or political views. It is funded by voluntary contributions from governments, societies, supranational organisations, and various public and private sources.

 

So very much like our very own non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities, the ICRC depends on donations for a cause they support. Of course, the difference is that it works worldwide.

 

Reading through the stories of the ICRC's work, there are amazing achievements that they have done, and more. These people have gone into warzones to care for the wounded and ill civilians, and making sure that civilians are protected during times of war. They visit prison detainees to ensure that they are treated with dignity and humanity in accordance with international norms and standards.

 

When Typhoon Haiyan left destruction in its wake in the Philippines, the ICRC worked to help the victims recover and rebuild. In Myanmar, the ICRC has been hard at work rebuilding ethnic Rakhine and Muslim communities torn apart by communal violence in Myanmar.

 

Even despite risks, a sole person can be an unsung hero. A Cambodian Red Cross volunteer hand-delivers letters on a motorbicycle to reach rural, remote villages, travelling for hours just to keep separated families connected.

 

The ICRC sometimes even responds before an event with due warning given. In the United States, when 2010 was forecasted to be severe hurricane season the ICRC prepared and trained volunteers as well as preparing equipment and materials near vulnerable spots, spending nearly US$30 million in its efforts to reduce damage and casualties, and allow rebuilding to commence without delay.

 

This day, May 8th, is to celebrate the ICRC's work and principles in humanitarian aid without borders and prejudices, and we could certainly learn from them. Thousands of people have volunteered their time to make lives better for 150 years despite the potential risks and complications they could be facing as they go about their task of helping others less fortunate without discrimination.

 

While we cannot compare our charities and NGOs with it, given the amount of funding and support they receive from multiple sources, surely we can keep them in mind as an inspiration, as a role model for us to know that it is always possible to care not just about ourselves but for others, regardless of political beliefs, religious views, race, age or sex, if and when we can, and make the world a better place for people. One single day every year should be more than enough to remind us that out there, people are spending their lives helping other people. If they can do that, so can we.

 

The Brunei Times

 

Panaga Primary School concludes Basic First Aid Workshop

A Shazy

AS PART of the school’s professional staff development, Panaga Primary School recently concluded the Basic First Aid workshop at the school multipurpose hall, Sunshine Hall.

                Present to facilitate the workshop was Harris bin Abdul Latip, officer-in-charge of Brunei Red Crescent Society of Belait District, who is also the Senior First Aider of St John Ambulance in Australia. During the two-day workshop, the facilitator covered a number of topics related to first aid, such as introduction to first-aid, how to become a first aider, early recovery actions, principles of first-aid and more.

                At the end of the workshop, the teachers and staff members were given a first-hand experience as first-aiders.

- (Borneo Bulletin, Friday 9 May 2014)

Promotion ceremony for Belait Red Crescent officers

The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) yesterday held a promotion ceremony for 19 members of its Belait division.

                The ceremony saw a mixture of promotions for both commissioned and non-commissioned officers of BDRCS.

                Acting Director of BDRCS Belait division Haji Bidin bin Haji Che Drahman as Chairman, said in his speech that “the higher the promotion, the higher the commitment required”.

                He expressed confidence that the promoted officers were extremely spirited to lead BDRCS Belait division.

                “The role of leadership should be understood in various contexts. In the context of NGO, the development, progress and success are mainly influenced by a strong and dynamic leadership,” he added.

                He urged leaders to continue increasing the leadership and managerial knowledge and skills.

                He also emphasized the importance of good teamwork in all aspects of BDRCS’ services. Good teamwork is an extension of good partnership in all-external matters including relations with government departments towards delivering community and humanitarian services.

                Relations with other NGOs and private sectors should also be maintained to ensure the effective movement of BDRCS, he added.

                The guest of honor at the ceremony was its President Awang Haji Julaini bin Haji Abdul Latip.

                The promotion ceremony also coincided with the presentation of appointment letters to the Secretariat Working Committee members for Belait division.

                The event took place at Kuala Belait Municipal Hall.

(Borneo Bulletin, Friday 9 May 2014)

100 pints blood pledge at Times Square on Sunday

TO MARK the World Red Crescent Day and the 66^th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Crescent Society of Brunei Darussalam this year, a “100 Pints Blood Pledge To Save Lives” will be held this Sunday from 10am to noon at Times Square, Berakas.

                The blood donation drive will be officiated by Dr Haji Zulaidi bin Haji Abdul Latif, Director-General of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health.

                Over 100 volunteers comprising youths, individuals and several associations and groups will be present. The blood donation drive is co-organised by the Blood Bank, RIPAS Hospital and Times Square.

                Saving life is a core fundamental slogan to the Red Crescent Association and International Red Cross. Blood donation is a core program that becomes the basis for their activities at the regional and international levels.

                Humanitarian works based on the seven core principals become the axis to 150 years of Red Crescent Association with Brunei Darussalam being a member since 1948.

                The association welcomes the public to contribute blood to save life, and youths from various professions are welcome to become volunteers of the Red Crescent Association of Brunei Darussalam.

                Besides giving first aid service, the Red Crescent Association of Brunei Darussalam also offers health advice service, disaster management, first aid training at youth, professional and community levels.

                The association also active in organizing awareness campaign through road safety issue, healthy life, environment, international humanitarian law, HIV, non-infectious diseases and several other activities among its members, volunteers and the local community.

- (Borneo Bulletin, Friday 9 May 2014)

Red Crescent 150th anniversary today

Izzan Kassim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

WORLD Red Cross and Red Crescent Day falls today, May 8, marking its 150th year of establishment.

Founded by Jean Henri Dunant in 1863, the organisation holds on to the seven principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The Brunei Red Crescent Society (BRCS) last night held a mass prayer and tahlil ceremony at the surau of the National Stadium to observe the special day.

“Together for Humanity”, the theme for this year’s celebration, highlights the importance of partnership in handling humanitarian relief efforts.

To this end, the Brunei Red Crescent Society (BRCS) is planning a working visit to its counterpart in Indonesia next month.

“The members will visit hospitals and participate in humanitarian relief aid activities,” said BRCS Public Relations Officer Ya-Aneta Hj Mohd Yusuf.

In its bid to create stronger ties with the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in the region, BRCS actively participates in various regional meetings and events such as the World Youth Conference and Leaders Conference.

BRCS began as Brunei Red Cross Society in 1948 under the administration of the British Red Cross.
It became known as BRCS after Brunei’s independence in 1984.

Currently, BRCS has over 1,000 members with secondary school students making up the majority.

The students are considered as regular members or volunteers at the BRCS, while its nurses and the Humanitarian Aid Disaster Relief Team (HADRT) carry out their specific duties.

The qualified nurses are posted in static clinics during national events to administer first aid and give medical attention to those in need.

Meanwhile, the HADRT was introduced on March 24. The team has 18 members who had been trained in humanitarian relief efforts. They are required to be on standby 24/7 to provide assistance in emergencies.

To celebrate this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, BRCS invites the public to join its blood donation drive at Times Square Shopping Centre on Sunday morning.

The Brunei Times
 

Ahli PBSM perlu mempunyai komitmen, kesabaran

Oleh:  Dk. Siti Redzaimi Pg. Haji Ahmad 

TUTONG, Sabtu, 19 April. - Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah (PBSM) Cawangan Daerah Tutong telah mengadakan Malam Gala Penghargaan persatuan berkenaan buat julung kalinya bertempat di Dewan Kemasyarakatan Serambangun, di sini.

Hadir selaku tetamu kehormat, Pegawai Daerah Tutong, Awang Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali.

Dalam ucapannya, beliau antara lain menyatakan adalah difahami tugas yang diamanahkan kepada ahli-ahli persatuan bukanlah mudah kerana sebagai seorang ahli persatuan hendaklah mempunyai komitmen, kesabaran dan pengetahuan yang tinggi apatah lagi jika dalam keadaan-keadaan tertentu yang melibatkan bantuan dan menyelamat nyawa seseorang.

PEGAWAI Daerah Tutong, Awang Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali ketika berucap semasa Malam Gala Penghargaan Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah (PBSM) Cawangan Daerah Tutong. (Foto : Dk. Nur Hafilah Pg. Osman)

"Malam Gala tersebut amat sesuai diadakan lebih-lebih lagi dalam konteks sesebuah pertubuhan dan persatuan untuk mengumpulkan semula kesemua ahli-ahli yang ada sejak penubuhan PBSM di Daerah Tutong dan menghargai jasa serta sumbangan yang pernah dihulurkan dan disumbangkan oleh pegawai-pegawai dan kadet-kadet demi mengaktifkan, meningkatkan dan memajukan persatuan berkenaan," ujarnya.

Majlis diselajurkan dengan penyampaian sijil-sijil kenaikan dan pentauliahan pangkat ahli Sekretariat dan Kadet-Kadet PBSM Cawangan Daerah Tutong 2014, penyampaian anugerah-anugerah penghargaan kepada jabatan-jabatan kerajaan dan penyampaian Anugerah Khas Pegawai PBSM.

 PEGAWAI Daerah Tutong, Awang Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali semasa hadir selaku tetamu kehormat di majlis tersebut. (Foto : Dk. Nur Hafilah Pg. Osman)

Acara seumpama ini, tidak syak lagi menggambarkan adanya jalinan kerjasama pihak persatuan dengan agensi-agensi kerajaan, swasta dan NGOs serta sebagai aktiviti anjuran persatuan untuk bergiat dengan lebih aktif juga menghargai sumbangan dan khidmat bakti yang telah diberikan setelah bergiat lama dalam persatuan.

- Pelita Brunei Online - Isnin, 21 April 2014.