I expect most of know of and have positive views about the Red Cross. The role of the Red Cross internationally in war and disaster zones is well understood. Just this week I read a story in the Herald about Mr Jack Kelly a NZ prisoner of war in World War 2 who had been held in atrocious conditions in a German prisoner of war camp in Greece. He put his survival down to Red Cross parcels he received.
The mission of New Zealand Red Cross is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and enhancing community resilience and their principles are Humanity-Impartiality-Neutrality-Independence-Voluntary Service-Unity-Universality.
I was lucky enough last night to attend a presentation on the work of Red Cross at Parliament and I learned about the full range of Red Cross activities internationally and within NZ. The work within New Zealand was greater than I had understood and includes – installing first aid equipment in public places, running first aid courses, delivering meals on wheels (750,000 per year), running a drug and alcohol harm minimisation programme ‘Save a Mate’ (targeting young), providing transportation to hospitals, running Op Shops, supporting refugee resettlement and coordinating emergency response to disasters. A most impressive range of acivities delivered primarily by volunteers.
One specific and growing role that Red Cross plays within New Zealand is the provision of breakfast to hungry children through their Breakfast in Schools programme. Demand for this programme is on the rise. While it is a very positive initiative I am sure that I am not the only person who feels angry that we have such poverty in this country. For a comparatively rich country that is a major food producer it is a disgrace that such child poverty exists. Over 200,00 breakfasts were served in over 40 schools in 2009. Red Cross believes up to 20 further schools will be added during 2010. Budget 2010 by lifting GST and making cuts in areas like Early Childhood Education will increase poverty.
Mr Jack Kelly talked about the NZ value of a fair go. What is clear is that many NZ children do not have a fair go and this Government will make this situation worse.
Good on the Sallies
Stop trading off other peoples’ success. It’s embarrassing.
Oh how disappointing. I thought this post was going to be all about celebrating the wonderful work the Red Cross does and instead it has been ruined by the last paragraph where you have used the issue as a way to score political points.
Before judging the NACTs on their potential child poverty record in terms of the number of children that go to school hungry, I suggest you ask the Red Cross what their stats were between 1999-2008.
You will find their uptake for their services, like all food banks around the country, no doubt doubled.
If you are serious about this issue, then please provide solutions as this is a huge issue in this country, one that I am also very concerned about.
The fact that demand for the Breakfast in Schools programme is on the rise is devastating and should preclude political football.
The stories out there are just heartbreaking and it seems so unjust that in a country like ours with so much wealth (as yes, despite our economic woes we also have plenty to be grateful for) that children are going hungry.
@Michael – they’re not trading off their success! They’re giving them free publicity!
I have just had a brilliant thought for Labour’s campaign.
After chatting with my husband who used to work in emergency services and saw first hand how these children live (10 people in a 1-2 bedroom house, damp mattresses on the floor etc etc) I thought that the best thing that Labour could do in terms of finding out what wages mean in real life is to meet with a handful of people in the various tax brackets and see where they live and how they spend their money.
This would provide some very good insights as at the moment, I just don’t think you have any idea.
If you are not prepared to do this, then maybe go out on scope with Victim Support, Ambulance or the Police so you can see these families and their homes first hand or spend a few days working in a Work and Income centre, at the food bank etc.
These things can only but help give perspective to academic thought.
Mattresses of the floor
Getting back to the red cross, red this article on the BBC-not sure what to think of it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/10161136.stm
It providing Medical assistance to oppressive fundamentalists right?
As a Medical student myself, I know that It would be impossible to not provide aid to a person in need, although is really necessary to for the Red Cross to go out of their way to provide medical training and support to the Taliban?
Does anyone agree that this medical training may assist the Taliban to continue or extend their terrorist activities?
Would the in not be better for the Red Cross to use their resources to provide medical training to Afghani civilians?
Tamati – no I don’t agree. The Red Cross and all aid agencies should always be neutral and treat all people in need.
Their motivation is humanitarian not political.
Thanks Carol for this post. The work of groups like the Red Cross often goes un-noticed, so it is great for some light to be shone on what they do.
I also think that the issue Carol has raised about the increasing role that the RC is playing here in NZ is real food for thought. Fundamentally the causes of poverty are political, so it is quite appropriate for Carol to ask what the impact of the Budget will be on families who are already struggling.
Labour policies like Working for Families and Income related rents did measurably reduce child poverty. That said, Labour has acknowledged that more should have been done. To come up with new ideas however we actually have to have a proper debate and not pretend that poverty is just about the choices that indiviudals make.
Tamati asks if it’s ok for the Red Cross to provide medical training to the Taliban. The Red Cross is concerned with human life and preventing death. While what the Taliban are doing is wrong they honestly believe what they are doing is right. The solution to terrorism has usually been more guns and shooting, which has caused more anger. The Red Cross is doing something different. They are giving sympathy and showing the Taliban the value of human life.
Child poverty is a disgrace. We’re doing better than we were. Unfortunately we still have a way to go. As others have said, Working for Families has helped but more could of beend one.