The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vice-president, Madam Christine Beerli’s, first official visit to Fiji last week was indeed a memorable one. It was the first visit of a member of the governance of the ICRC and she became the first dignitary to be received by the new President, Jioje Konrote, at Government House. Just a day before this auspicious engagement, she attended his official swearing-in ceremony.

“It was a pleasure to be the first official visitor to the President and to be hosted in the Government House where we had a very enjoyable encounter and open discussions with the work we do in the region and in Fiji,” Madam Beerli said.

“The meeting was significant and we had a very open discussion of our work in Fiji. The President has also assured us of his continued support and collaboration. He was happy with the work we are doing in the region and also wishes that this collaboration continues in the way it has been for the past years.

“The ICRC has known President Konrote for many years when he was serving as a peacekeeper in Lebanon and in 1995, he hosted a lunch when the ICRC organised a seminar on International Humanitarian Law in Fiji,” she said.

During their discussion, President Konrote assured his continuous support towards the work of the ICRC.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a Swiss-based organisation which was formed in 1963 and is the founding member of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The ICRC is independent and non-political and works around the world helping people whose lives have been disrupted by armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

It is mandated by the international community to promote and strengthen international humanitarian law (IHL). Neutral and independent, the ICRC is part of the world’s largest humanitarian movement, delivering assistance to those in need, regardless of race, religion or politics.

Set up in 2001, the ICRC Regional Delegation in the Pacific covers 16 Pacific countries including Australia and New Zealand. The delegation has a presence in Port Moresby and in Canberra.

“We put our hub specifically here (Fiji) because we think that Fiji is really the centre of the Pacific and it is a good place to also cover the rest of the region,” Madam Beerli said.

The ICRC’s main focus in the Pacific region is on the promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL), working with national Red Cross societies, visiting people in detention facilities and assisting victims of tribal conflict in PNG.

The ICRC builds a better understanding of IHL with Fiji’s military and international policing standards with police personnel and provides training and support material on IHL and basic principles of humanity.

During her visit, Madam Beerli had the opportunity to meet with the Speaker of the House, Dr Jiko Luveni; Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyun, Acting Military Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, Corrections Commissioner Lieutenant-Colonel Ifereimi Vasu, senior police officials and representatives of international and regional organisations.

Some of the issues discussed included ICRC’s activities in association with the promotion of international humanitarian law (IHL), co-operation with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Force, activities with the Fiji Red Cross and the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to be held in Geneva next month.

From December 8-10 representatives of nearly every government in the world and partner organisations will gather in Geneva for the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The conference, which meets every four years to reflect and make decisions on pressing humanitarian issues, is the premier global forum to enhance and inspire humanitarian debates. It is where States, as parties to the Geneva conventions, undertake joint commitments with the movement. These commitments include the strengthening of IHL and furthering its implementation, addressing emerging risks threatening human life, strengthening legal frameworks for disasters, ensuring enabling environments for volunteering and nurturing the auxilliary role of national societies to their public authorities in the humanitarian field.

Madam Beerli said the conference would be interesting also for Fiji this year because Fiji’s Ambassador in Geneva, Nazhat Shameem, will chair a working group on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) of which one of the resolutions will be based on this subject.

Madam Beerli also visited a Fiji Red Cross Society (FRCS) field project on disaster risk reduction (DRR) at Nukui Village in Rewa.

The village is located where the river meets the ocean, vulnerable to high tide, and storm surges. The village has little land to grow crops. With the support of the federation, the FRCS has implemented a disaster risk reduction project in the village to increase the resilience of the community. The hazards have been analysed by the community with the help of the Fiji Red Cross.

The villagers appreciate the FRCS work, they were extremely hospitable to the team and welcomed the vice president with a traditional ceremony. After the ceremony, FRCS DG explained to them the work of ICRC and they discussed with the FRCS about next steps in DRR and ways to seek other sources of funding.

“Not only does the ICRC provide training to armed forces of the government but the organisation also visits detention centres around the world and help improve conditions of these places through bilateral dialogue. ICRC’s prime mandate is to provide protection and assistance to victims of conflict or situations of violence,” she said.

Following his meeting with Madam Beerli, Rear Admiral Naupoto welcomed the support of the ICRC.

Madam Beerli has assured the ICRC will continue to work with the RFMF in providing IHL training and also to peacekeeping troops to equip Fijian soldiers with IHL before they are deployed for peacekeeping missions overseas.

Madam Beerli said she was grateful for the opportunities to meet with different representatives of different segments of the community and would return to Geneva with good memories.

* Gillian Hickes is the communications officer, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Regional Delegation in the Pacific, Suva.