Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society serving the community since 1948

Youth Platoon of the International Graduate Studies College (KIGS). The BDRCS’s membership is divided into three main groups: cadets, youth volunteers and general volunteers. Courtesy of Siti Nasyroh Mat Nayan

Brunei Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) Secretary General Sheikh Kadir Abdullah

RAFIDAH HAMIT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, October 16, 2014

THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society began life as the Brunei Red Cross Society in 1948 (under the administration of the British Red Cross). But, when Brunei gained its independence from Britain in 1984, its name was officially changed to the Brunei Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).

To best serve society and humanity as a whole, the BDRCS has five departments, said the society’s Secretary General Sheikh Kadir Abdullah.

The Medic Service Department provides first aid services and medical assistance, while the Health Department provides assistance and support for health programmes, particularly on non-communicable diseases.

The Volunteer Department works with volunteers, who are mostly in secondary and higher education, while “the Training Department provides training and curriculum in preparing skilled manpower in various fields, especially in first aid, disaster management and health promotion”.

The Disaster Management Department is responsible for disaster mitigation measures at the local, regional and international stage.

“They will also provide a platform to support and help the work of disaster management, relief management capacity and storage management (warehousing), as well as processing catalogs and movement,” Sheikh Kadir said.

The BDRCS’s membership is divided into three main groups: cadets, youth volunteers and general volunteers.

“The cadet school is made up of students from the Youth Link Cadet and Youth Cadets between the ages of eight and 18. They make up 80 per cent of our members.”

Meanwhile, youth volunteers are aged 18 to 35 and come from various sectors: education, government and corporate.

General volunteers come from diverse communities in the country and are aged 40 and above.

Currently, the BDRCS has over 1,000 members, with secondary school pupils making up the majority.

“We are hoping more people will come forward to join us or just become a volunteer to provide services of not just first aid but much more,” Sheikh Kadir said.

The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society is not classified as a non-governmental organisation. Instead, it has a special role in accordance with the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam.

The Brunei Times

Indonesian society keen to train Brunei Red Crescent members

Members of the PMI listening attentively to an explanation by a BDRCS member during the informal meeting yesterday at the National Stadium. Picture: BT/Izzan Kassim


President of BDRCS Hj Julaini Hj Abd Latip leading the informal discussions with PMI yesterday. Picture: BT/Izzan Kassim

IZZAN KASSIM

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, September 27, 2014

THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is looking to build the capacity of its members by working together with the Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI).

Speaking with The Brunei Times, the President of BDRCS Hj Julaini Hj Abdul Latip said that the Society is looking to form a synergy with PMI so that the two organisations could work together more closely.

He added that BDRCS is hoping to work with PMI on managing youth members and humanitarian aid.

The recent formation of the Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Team (HADRT) is only the beginning for BDRCS, said Hj Julaini, and that there is still a lot of areas that can be improved upon.

The group is also looking to invite regional specialists, especially from PMI, to give talks and train members in the field of disaster management as part of its capacity building.

Hj Julaini said that PMI is “knowledgeable and experienced” in the field of humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and praised them for their swift response during the aftermath of the tsunami that hit Aceh in 2006.

“PMI acted expertly in mobilising volunteers to help their government and the community during that period,” Hj Julaini said.

“We are planning to work closely together with PMI in the future, and try to get them to conduct trainings or share with us how they mobilise volunteers during disasters.”

PMI arrived in Brunei on Thursday for a three-day visit to the country, and took part in an informal discussion with BDRCS yesterday at the National Stadium.

PMI and BDRCS talked about the structure of their respective organisations and shared ideas on how to improve them.

They also talked about their future plans and how they can help each other to ensure that the programme succeeds.

BDRCS also asked about the possibility of having its members trained by PMI on humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.

The Brunei Times interviewed the President of BDRCS and the Chairperson of PMI Jakarta on future collaboration.

The Chairman of PMI Jakarta, Rini Sutiyoso, said last night that PMI is keen to work together with BDRCS, adding that as a neutral organisation that is not tied to any political party, it does not discriminate and will provide assistance regardless of race or religion.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, Rini said that the Jumbara (Jumpa Bakti Gembira), a youth camp for members of any national Red Cross and Red Crescent society, was held recently by PMI in the Jakarta province.

She welcomed Brunei to participate in next year’s Jumbara that is scheduled to be held in Denpasar, Bali.

The Brunei Times

Brunei Red Crescent Society calling for more youth volunteers

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN - PRESIDENT of Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRC) Hj Julaini Hj Latif (pictured), encouraged more youth in the Sultanate to participate in their movement as volunteers.

Hj Julaini underscored the importance of joining the Society’s activities as one of the ways to develop an individual’s character and potential as a future leader.

“When we become volunteers with the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society, it is not merely about providing first aid,” he said. He explained that volunteers can contribute in various areas of the activities implemented by the Society.

The activities organised by the Society will build the positive characters of the volunteers.

“As a volunteer, one can be an engineer, doctor, accountant or clerk in our movement,” he said.

Providing first aid is only a part of the Society’s movement.

“It is more about serving the community in all aspects based on the needs of a particular society.”

BDRC is also on the lookout for any international activities held by the International Red Cross Red Crescent relating to health and safety, relief and support activities for vulnerable groups.

BDRC is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

There are about 1,800 members of the BDRC, dominated by students from various schools, colleges and higher educational institutions.

-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times