Red Cross Successfully Held General Assembly

Honiara, 15th October 2020 – Solomon Islands Red Cross Society (SIRC) has successfully held its General Assembly on Wednesday 14th October, 2020. The General Assembly which is the highest body of the National Society is usually held after every two years.

Attending the General Assembly includes the Patron of the National Society, the Governor General of Solomon Islands His Excellency Sir David Vunagi and Lady Vunagi, General Assembly members including representatives from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Home Affairs and Chairpersons from six (6) Solomon Islands Red Cross Society branches throughout the country.

In delivering his key address in opening the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society’s General Assembly, His Excellency Sir David Vunagi expresses the unfortunate situation leading to the General Assembly being held in October. “By virtue of our Constitution, the General Assembly is the highest governing body of the National Society and which accordingly, “shall take place every two years in the third month of the second year”. Unfortunately, this General Assembly as you may have realised is now held in October, which reflects the challenge the National Society and the country at large is now faced with, especially in the ongoing fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic”, Sir Vunagi said.

The Governor General also took the opportunity to thank the National Society volunteers, who have worked hard in ensuring those who are affected by the recent Tropical Cyclone Harold are assisted. “In addition, I am proud to have learnt of the great work carried out by our volunteers in responding to the needs of those who are affected by the recent Tropical Cyclone Harold at the beginning of the year”. He also thanked the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society volunteers for in their work of assisting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in carrying out community wide awareness in communities within Honiara, Malaita, Western, Temotu and Rennell and Bellona provinces.

The Solomon Islands Governor General in his address also calls for government recognition and support to the work of the National Society both through assistance as well as by helping to review the Solomon Islands Red Cross Act 1983 to provide for government support. “While the Solomon Islands Red Cross Society has had a wonderful relationship over the years and has been a great partner to the public authorities, the government is yet to fully recognise its role in providing support to the National Society”, Sir David Vunagi said. “All these are areas of concern to the National Society regarding the Act that I hope the Solomon Islands government will look at in helping to address by way of updating the current Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Act 1983”, the Governor General further added.

President of Solomon Islands Red Cross Society Mockson Aaron in making his remarks also highlights the need for creativity and innovation as a means to move the work of the National Society forward. “Being creative and innovative means doing what we have always been doing, but in a different way. This is because, we are now in an era where just existing is not enough. We have to be relevant while at the same time be able to remain to perform our mandated role both now and into the future”, he said.

The highlight of the General Assembly was the election of the new President, Vice President, an ordinary member and the confirmation of co-opted members who will also serve in the current board.

Meanwhile, the former SIRC President, Mockson Aáron was re-elected to take on the President position while Dr.Jillian Tutuo was elected as the new Vice-President. James Lapoe was unanimously placed as the ordinary member in the new board after he was nominated twice and was unopposed.

Newly confirmed members of the board include Richard Sakiri who is currently serving as the Treasurer to the board, Dr. Dunstan Aleziru, Shenthel Soaki who is the Youth representative in the board and Stanley Aupai.

-SIRC Press Release

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