The Vanuatu Red Cross Society (VRCS) and other Red Cross societies from the Pacific have supported the election of Francesco Rocca to the position of President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Mr Rocca is the President of Italy Red Cross Society.
“It is only normal that we support Italy because they have been talking with us about potential program support, similar to what they are already doing with other societies in the Pacific”, VRCS President Ati George Sokomanu said after personally congratulating Mr. Rocca after his successful election this week.
VRCS Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline de Gaillande said “they have talked to us about support VRCS in first aid training programs for accidents and disasters happening in the sea. They have supported the Cook Islands Red Cross and we have discussed with them the possibility of partnering with them in a similar program for us in Vanuatu”.
Mr. Rocca was elected by 178 national RCS presidents attending the IFRC General Assembly meeting in Antalya, Turkey.
VRCS delegation to the important meeting include society President Ati George Sokomanu, CEO Mrs De Gaillande, VRCS Treasurer Moses Stevens, Organisational Development Coordinator Dickenson Tevi and VRCS Youth rep Elinda Taleo.
Photo source Vanuatu Red Cross Society/Facebook. Caption: Vanuatu Red Cross Society delegetion at the IFRC General Assembly in Turkey