Maldives: Appeal No. MAAMV001 - Annual report 2008

Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Date: 28 Apr 2009

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This report covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2008.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation – with its global network – works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

In brief

Programme purpose: All 2008 programmes were focused on creating the environment for a local national society to be established and begin its work.

Programmes summary: The tsunami recovery programmes provided an opportunity for Red Cross Red Crescent work to be visible to the Maldivian community: thus, establishing goodwill and better understanding about its humanitarian nature. This understanding opened the way to support the formation of a Maldivian national society, a process which has been going on since September 2005. The International Federation continued supporting the interim planning group (IPG), which was tasked to steer the Maldivian Red Crescent formation process; a Red Crescent Bill was submitted to the People's Majlis [parliament] in November 2008.

Implementation of disaster management programme activities progressed well on all the 11 targeted islands. Specifically, community-based disaster management (CBDM), vulnerability capacity assessment (VCA) and first aid trainings were facilitated. Target island communities drew up emergency contingency and disaster risk reduction plans. First aid and sea search and rescue trainings were delivered to community volunteers while first aid training was also conducted for interested organizations, resorts and companies.

Collaboration with the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) resulted in the approval of new International Federation-produced guidelines for island disaster management mobilization and organization. The collaboration also promoted the participation of NDMC in the development of a CBDM training manual for government officers.

Promotion of the Fundamental Principles, humanitarian values, and the mandate of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement was also prioritized in the first half of the year. This included creating awareness on the role the Maldivian Red Crescent will be playing once it becomes operational. Exposition of the Principles and values formed an integral part of all programmes.

Financial situation: The initial budget for 2008 was CHF 1,683,000 (USD 1,595,700 or EUR 1,125,000). It was later reduced to CHF 228,265 (USD 216,400 or EUR 152,600), which was 100 per cent covered. The revision was done because activities implemented during the first half of the year were funded through the tsunami recovery operation since funding for Appeal 2008-2009 came during the second quarter of 2008. This also took into consideration that a local national society had not been formally constituted by end 2008. Total expenditure for the year was CHF 224,241 (USD 212,600 or EUR 149,900).

No. of people we help: Appeal 2008-2009 programmes reached over 24,000 beneficiaries during 2008. This number is expected to increase over the coming year as the Maldivian Red Crescent will target to reach to a quarter of the Maldivian population – approximately 75,000 people.

Our partners: The National Disaster Management Centre, Ministry of Atolls Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Youth, island authorities, American Red Cross, British Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, French Red Cross, Hong Kong branch of the Red Cross Society of China, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Context

The 2004 tsunami was the worst natural disaster in the history of the Maldives. Though loss of life (approximately 100 fatalities) was not in the numbers recorded in other affected countries, the impact on the economy was massive. An estimated 62 per cent of the island nation's gross domestic product was washed away in a matter of minutes. In communities within which its impact was greatest, the tsunami cancelled out development gains accrued through years of patient endeavour and highlighted a need for comprehensive risk reduction measures linked to effective disaster preparedness systems. It exposed a need for disaster management to be regarded as the responsibility of everyone.

Red Cross Red Crescent recovery efforts that began in 2005 peaked in 2008, with a majority of reconstruction and utility projects completed. Parallel to the tsunami recovery programmes, the International Federation had already initiated community disaster risk reduction as well as community-based first aid activities. These programmes were part of the ground work for the nascent Maldivian Red Crescent.

The most notable socio-political development during 2008 was the nation's first democratic, multi-party presidential elections. The first round of presidential elections was contested by six candidates, including the incumbent who had ruled for 30 years upon being elected in 'yes or no' referendums since 1978. Though the incumbent won the first round, he failed to obtain more than 50 per cent, which was required for a categorical victory. As such, voting went to a second round which pitted him against a former political prisoner; the former political prisoner won, bringing to an end to the 30-year rule of Asia's longest serving leader.

On the social front, an increase in urban violence and drug abuse continued to present huge challenges to law enforcement units. In the early months and toward the end of 2008, there was a dramatic increase in the number of gang fights and gang-related attacks on the streets of Male, the capital. The gangs engaged in violent acts on the streets with knives and various sharp objects. The situation deteriorated to the extent that the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) – the nation's armed force – was brought in to conduct a special operation and to support the police in curbing the violence. Over the same period, the frequency of thefts and house break-ins also increased, with some Red Cross Red Crescent personnel falling victim. Another social problem that continued to be a major concern was child abuse.

With regard to public health, the standard remained generally good and the significant achievements made in the control of communicable diseases were upheld. During 2008, sporadic cases of dengue and chikungunya fevers were reported in Male and the atolls. However, these did not reach epidemic levels since the department of public health – within the ministry of health – strengthened vector control, including thorough inspections and chemical spraying. Vector control teams continued their regular inspection of household/premises in Male. Health education continued to be carried out and appropriate measures to eradicate identified dengue mosquito breeding places.

On their part, the American and British Red Cross Societies also continued health promotion activities alongside their tsunami recovery programmes, stressing on prevention of dengue and chikungunya through eradication of Appeal 2008-2009: Maldives (MAAMV001), Annual Report 2008 potential mosquito breeding grounds. Island communities which had earlier been reached by the International Federation – while responding to an outbreak in 2007 – also responded well, utilizing the knowledge gained from the previous year.