The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRSC) has tasked humanitarian workers in the organization on accountability in relation to its community engagement.
The NRSC says it is planning to mainstream community engagement and accountability into all aspects of its activities in the Nigeria.
The Director, National Communication and Advocacy of the society, Mr Victor Achegbulu disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
Achegbulu said at a three-day workshop on Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) for some staff and volunteers of the NRCS that the organization is mainstreaming community engagement and accountability into the operation of the humanitarian organisation to create a better understanding of the Operations of the humanitarian organization, which serves the cause of humanity worldwide, adding that the Red Cross would continue to serve people in distress in line with mission and vision.
He said it would engender deeper community participation and lead to improvement in the community services of the society.
The three – day workshop was sponsored by the British Red Cross.
Also speaking, Mr Adeyemo Adebayo, the Director of Programmes of the NRCS , said the whole idea of CEA was to get communities to buy into the activities of the Red Cross for better programme planning and effective implementation.
Getting communities to buy into the activities of the Red Cross, Adebayo said the initiative would promote the activities of the society and lead to better service delivery.
Adebayo said the Red Cross had provided free toll telephone lines to get regular feedback on its activities from community leaders.
According to jim, the CEA when fully operationalized into the activities of the NRCS will benefit the donors, beneficiaries and the Red Cross itself.
Mr Benson Agbro, Director, Disaster Management of the NRCS told newsmen that the CEA would go a ling way to resolve areas of friction and misunderstanding usually encountered during operations in communities.
He said it was also a way to appraise and have better understanding of peculiarities of disasters being faced by different communities.
Agbro said the workshop was mainly to enhance the capacity of NRCS staff and volunteers charged with rescue operations.
Amoma Mofe Terah, Focal Point, Community Engagement and Accountability, NRSC, said the workshop was a capacity building one for field workers of the organisation.
She said that participants at the workshop are expected to develop a policy document that can always be refered to by staff of the society.
According to her, 146 participants from the NRCS branches in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are participating in the workshop physically and online.
She said top officials of the NRSC from its Abuja national headquarters are also attending the workshop.
Apart from staff and volunteers of the last NRCS, he said participants were also invited from stakeholders, including security agencies, fire services, emergency services providers among others.
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