BDRCS earns praise for achievements

James Kon

THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) yesterday earned high praise from the Head of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Southeast Asia Regional Delegation for its overall development as well as for identifying programmes, projects and activities that serve and reach the most vulnerable people in need.

The commendation came from Anne E Leclerc, Head, Southeast Asia, IFRC, who is currently in Brunei to witness the National Level 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society.

In her speech during the opening ceremony, Leclerc remarked, “I am pleased and privileged to have had during the past six years the opportunity to engage with Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent.

“Being the Head of the Regional Delegation for Southeast Asia, I have been closely working with several BDRCS leaders and been impressed by the developments that the national society has been able to bring about and, more importantly, the increased commitment it has shown to its development is noteworthy.”

Anne E Leclerc, Head, Southeast Asia, IFRC, receives a souvenir presented by Haji Julaini bin Haji Abdul, the former president of Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society. – JAMES KON

“Together with our other RCRC Movement components (ICRC) and also neighbouring Asean partners’ societies, we are closely observing the changes in your national society. We are committed to supporting you further and better in accompanying you in this crucial process,” she said.

She also highlighted the need for continuing efforts for developing the BDRCS Strategic Plan, steps taken to review the constitution, statutes and the RC law, whereby Resource Mobilisation has been high on the agenda.

“The complex and difficult issue of defining or ensuring auxiliary status needs to be clarified. In view of the fundamental principles and the auxiliary status, it is advisable to have a defined mechanism for working with the government.

“The government and BDRCS may conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote understanding and cooperation and help build an image of the National Society as an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organisation,” she added.

The revision of statutes is another key milestone – “We appreciate the BDRCS’s openness in welcoming comments from other Asean societies and hope the consultation process will also continue with the support of the Joint Statutes Commission (IFRC/ICRC).”

In view of the increasing number of disasters, the humanitarian impact of climate change and also the situation of disturbances and internal violence in many cases, Leclerc further remarked: “We need to strengthen our preparedness and also ensure safer access to vulnerable and affected people. We need to create an enabling environment where vulnerable people can easily access the humanitarian services we deliver.”

Before concluding, the Head of Southeast Asia, IFRC reiterated that BDRCS is a domestic organisation, and if the National Society is strong domestically, it can be strong regionally.

- The Borneo Bulletin Online. March 7th. 2016.