ABOUT REDR NEW ZEALAND

Who is RedR?
RedR stands for "Register of Engineers for Disaster Relief". It is the name used by an international organisation which provides technical and administrative experts to help in disaster and emergency situations anywhere in the world.

History of RedR
During 1979 the massive human exodus from South Vietnam captured world attention. A crisis developed as these frightened people, to become known as the Vietnamese Boat People, landed in ever increasing numbers on the east coast of Malaysia. To meet this crisis, refugee camps were set up at various places. The relief agencies involved, such as UNHCR and Oxfam, realised the need for the expertise of an engineer and Oxfam recruited Peter Guthrie from the UK for three months, with the permission of his employer. It was his experience in the latter months of 1979 and the great difficulty Oxfam encountered in replacing him which led to the formation of RedR in the UK early in 1980.
Since then RedR groups have been set up in Australia and New Zealand. They are all members of RedR International which has been set up in Geneva to co-ordinate future growth and administration of RedR on a global basis.

RedR's Aims
RedR is an organisation to which relief agencies can apply when they require experienced and professional expertise from people such as engineers, administrators, logisticians and accountants to work in New Zealand or overseas in the aftermath of a disaster, whether natural or manmade. RedR aims to supply these people at very short notice. RedR also gives technical advice to relief agencies on most aspects of disaster relief engineering.

The Need
The work of relief agencies being achieved by doctors, nurses and other relief workers, receives justifiable publicity, (although probably not enough). But their work can be made more effective if it is backed by adequate technical support. The major requirements are for water supply, basic sanitation and shelter, the repair of damaged roads and bridges and logistical support. In New Zealand and the Pacific where earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons are a major threat, there is a need for qualified people to guide the rescue of people from damaged buildings and to assess the buildings for repair or demolition. Refugee settlements may be needed with their vital water supplies and sanitation arrangements. Later, rebuilding of broken communities will be required. There is a need for administrators who can organise the procurement, storage and despatch of emergency food and material supplies as well as for accountants to cope with financial aspects.

RedR's Structure
RedR New Zealand has an elected Board of Trustees all of whom are volunteers. The day to day work is led by the volunteer Director.

RedR's Members
Anyone wishing to support RedR NZ can join as an Associate Member for a small annual subscription. Members who wish to offer their services for assignment to disaster relief situations need to apply for acceptance on the register and become Register Members.
People on the Register may be in full-time employment, self employed or may no longer be be in formal practice, but have skills that could be of value in disaster relief work.
Some members who may not be able to serve on-site can assist in an administrative role, helping with training courses, technical reference and support.

We welcome people and organisations who like to provide financial support to RedR NZ by becoming Corporate Members.

The Register
The key to the success of RedR is the quality and availability of its registered members. Registration is through an application and interview process that aims to confirm the suitability and qualifications of applicants for the demands of disaster and emergency situations. It confirms that applicants are motivated and qualified to do disaster relief work in New Zealand and/or overseas.
People on the Register are self-reliant and possess the determination to overcome difficulties. They are ready and competent to give help and advice on varied technical and administrative aspects of the work. They are also able to work in cultures and situations different from their own in cooperation with other relief workers and local people. Our Register is now held on an Internet site accessible at any time from anywhere with connection to the Internet. This innovative and modern facility enables registered members to update their own data and CVs in a secure environment. It also allows searches of the database by people and organisations authorised by the RedR NZ Board to quickly find people for assignments.

Selection for Assignments
When RedR receives a request, with job description, timing and special requirements, from a relief agency, the database is searched to find those individuals best able to meet the need. The individuals selected are then given details of the request and asked to contact the requesting agency direct to confirm their availability for the job. The agency then decides its final choice and negotiates a contract direct with the engineer concerned. The contract covers salary, travel, accommodation and insurance amongst other essential aspects for the job. On assignment the engineer works as a short-term employee of the agency.

Training
RedR carries out training courses on topics related to disaster relief to help insure that RedR people are well prepared for their task. Training events are arranged both in New Zealand and through the other sister organisations in the UK and Australia.

Other RedR Groups and Agencies We maintain close liaison with other RedR groups. In addition we maintain contact with related organisations such as the Ministry for Emergency Management, Save the Children Fund, Volunteer Service Abroad, Water for Survival, OXFAM and CARITAS. These contacts aim to include training as well as assistance in meeting assignment requests.

(5 April 2001)