By Nirmal Adhikari
Besisahar, January 8

“We have to coordinate between Departments, Red Cross and non Red Cross partners for implementing any projects in the targeted community but we should remember Red Cross values and principles before implementation,” said Dev Ratna Dhakwa, Secretary General, NRCS in the annual review workshop of the JRC/RCY International Friendship Project (IFP).

NRCS Junior/Youth Department conducted a review workshop from 7-8 January at Besisahar, Lamjung in the participation of representatives from Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Lamjung, Makawanpur and Rupandehi, the programme districts. The International Friendship Project has been running in the financial support of the Japanese Red Cross since 2004.

The programme aims at improving health conditions of the school children, rural poor children, war orphans, disabled children and the community people. It has benefited more than 85,000 students of 120 schools and the nearby community people through education, capacity building and mutual friendship by this year.

“Junior Red Cross volunteers are always in the front line for rescue and relief during conflict and disaster in any parts of the country", said Devendra Bahadur Pradhan, President of the Central Junior/Youth Red Cross Committee. "They can play leadership role to improve education, health and sanitation environment in schools and communities,” he added.

“Two day workshop has made us aware of the problems and constraints in the implementation of the project through sharing each other among the participants,” said Dev Ratna Dhakhwa. “This has taught us a new lesson for coordination and cooperation between partners ,” he added.

In the closing ceremony, Heads of the District Administration Office, District Education Office, District Public Health Office and District Drinking Water and Sanitation Office and the Team leader of World Vision appreciated Red Cross health and sanitation programmes and committed to help the vulnerable people through cooperation and coordination with the Red Cross.

The review meeting has reached to an understanding regarding coordination between NRCS Headquarters and the Ministry of Education, involvement of the junior circles in preparing work plan, regular monitoring and supervision, mobilization of teacher sponsors and volunteers, dissemination of success practices for improving the quality of the programme implementation at all levels.