Outgoing President of the Solomon Islands Red Cross John Adifaka Sr has accused the government of not committing itself to the auxiliary link it has with the organisation.
Mr Adifaka made the accusation during the organization’s annual general meeting held last Friday.
He said over the past two years, the government had not attended any single SIRC board meetings.
He said this is very discouraging and the government needs to be serious about its links with SIRC or review it.
Mr Adifaka said under the auxiliary link, three government Ministries were to choose a representative on the board.
They are the Ministries of Education, Health and Home Affairs.
He also added that the currently appointed representative is the Director of the National Disaster Management Office.
He said that annual funds from the national government were expected through the auxiliary link but this has not been happening.
This, he said has been putting a lot of strain on the organisation’s operating budget.
“The public authorities need to realize and provide the necessary support the society requires to sustain locally funded programs such as Services and Blood Donor recruitment,” he said.
The outgoing chairman also used the occasion to thank the various donors and individuals who have supported the Solomon Islands Red Cross carry out its work during the disasters in 2007 to this year.
“The Society is pleased and acknowledges all the volunteers, donor partners, local organisations, government, UN agencies and the media for their high commitment, cooperation and assistance to ensure that our efforts to ensure our humanitarian support reached the most vulnerable communities in our nation,” he said.
BY GINA MAKAÁ
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