Fiji Red Cross Strengthens Inclusive Emergency Response

The Fiji Red Cross Society is strengthening its approach to inclusion and community engagement after 23 staff and volunteers completed specialised training on supporting people during emergencies.

The week-long training focused on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) in Emergencies and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), with youth volunteers also taking part.

Participants examined practical situations involving protection risks, different community needs and barriers, and ways to ensure people have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting them.

The training also focused on strengthening communication between emergency responders and communities, including creating effective channels for people to provide feedback and raise concerns.

The Fiji Red Cross Society said the programme is aimed at improving how inclusion is incorporated into its emergency response, community programmes and engagement with volunteers.

The organisation said ensuring everyone is seen, heard and included is particularly important during times of crisis, when vulnerable groups can face additional challenges accessing assistance and services.

The sessions were facilitated by Hannah from the Australian Red Cross and Lora from the French Red Cross Pacific Regional Office.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to provide inclusive and accountable humanitarian support across Fiji.